Hot, dry weather stokes Burnt Peak and South Yaak fires

The Burnt Peak and South Yaak fires continued to expand over the weekend, stoked by high temperatures and low humidity.

Officials put the South Yaak Fire at 11,582 acres and 54 percent contained as of Aug. 16. Fire managers had 244 personnel on the blaze. The update marked a roughly 1,000 acre increase in the blaze’s size since Aug. 13. Firefighters, nevertheless, managed to increase containment of the fire by seven percent over the three days.

As smoke clears and visibility improves, officials said firefighters would draw more heavily on air support to fight the fire. Engine and hand crews will build direct lines along the eastern perimeter of the fire and near Arbo and Prospect creeks. Firefighters will use heavy equipment to build indirect lines.

Crew backed by air resources successfully lined a new spot fire that flared up in North Fork O’Brien Creek over the weekend. Firefighters worked to build a direct line on Sunday as fire activity increased in the south tributary to Arbo Creek beneath Gunsight Mountain.

Residents living along Eastside Road, Kilbrennan Lake Road, 17 Mile Creek and Sylvanite are still on pre-evacuation notice.

The Burnt Peak Fire had reached 4,666 acres at 35 percent contained, fire managers said on Aug. 16. Officials had 152 personnel on the blaze. On Aug. 13, the fire was burning 3,730 acres at 36 percent contained.

The blaze flared near the headwaters of Benning Creek on Aug. 15, crossing the west fork. Flames advanced northwest towards the saddle near Lafoe Mountain. Helicopter crews tried to suppress a spot fire that gained a foothold in North Fork Keeler Creek.

Fire managers said crews would continue holding the road system in Benning Creek to slow the blaze’s progress to the west. Firefighters are staging water handling equipment for future use if needed along Callahan Road.

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

Officials expected temperatures to dip on Aug. 17 as a low-pressure system moves into Idaho and Montana. The shifting winds could help disperse smoke and fires could see showers that could last into Wednesday morning.

Fire managers held a community meeting in Troy on Monday night after The Western News’ print deadline.