Firefighters prepare for return of hot, dry conditions

Local firefighters are bracing themselves for warm and dry conditions that could inflame fire activity near uncontained lines on the South Yaak and Burn Peak blazes.

Officials predict that temperatures will reach record triple-digit highs in lowlands on Saturday. Humidity levels are expected to drop into the teens, according to an Aug. 12 statement from fire managers.

Great Basin Incident Management Team No. 5

took command of both fires from Great Basin Team No. 6 on Aug. 12. The South Yaak Fire reached 10,498 acres with 44 percent containment as of that morning. Officials had two helicopters, 15 engines, one crew, two dozers and 239 personnel assigned to the fire.

Fire managers said a hand crew would burn vegetation in hopes of slowing the fire’s expansion to the northeast.

Firefighters would use heavy equipment to create an indirect line along O’Brien Road on the south and east sides of the fire. Engine crews would survey the west containment line, extinguishing any hot spots.

Throughout the week, firefighters worked on a fuel break to the south of structures near 17 Mile Creek and along Eastside Road. Residents living on Eastside and Kilbrennan Lake roads and near 17 Mile Creek and Sylvanite are on pre-evacuation notice.

The Burnt Peak Fire reached 3,733 acres as of Aug. 12 and was 46 percent contained. One crew, one

helicopter, two engines, 12 pieces of heavy equipment and 146 personnel were working the blaze.

Firefighters were looking to place hose lays for direct suppression of the fire. Officials said that firefighters should have completed the northernmost contingency lines on the blaze. Warm and dry conditions could expand the fire’s perimeter to the north.

Residents in North Fork Keeler Creek are still on pre-evacuation notice.