Slideshow: Crews battle Sapphire Complex Fire on Rock Creek

MISSOULA, Mont. - The Sapphire Complex, southeast of Missoula, is burning over 9,000 acres, but officials say most of the growth is away from homes.

The complex is made up of three fires. Crews have zero containment on the Little Hogback Fire, 5 percent containment on the SliderockFire and have constructed more fire lines near the Goat Creek Fire, reaching 35 percent containment.

The fires are burning about 27 miles from Missoula in the Rock Creek area.

Residents previously evacuated have been allowed to return home but remain under pre-evacuation notice.

An enlarged forest and road closure includes all or parts of Rock Creek Road, Brewster Creek Road, Upper Brewster Creek Road,SliderockMountain Road, Upper Willow Creek Road and Road #8419. All or parts of the following trails are closed: Grizzly Creek, John Long, Butte Cabin Creek, Butte Cabin Ridge, Hogback Ridge and Ranch Creek.

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The following is a press release from the Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team:

Approximate Size: Little Hogback 4,018 acres Sliderock 513 acres Goat Creek 4,592 acres Containment: Little Hogback 0% Sliderock 5% Goat Creek 35% Total personnel: 434

The Little Hogback, Sliderock and Goat Creek fires are located approximately 25 miles south-southeast of Missoula. Incident Commander Irv Leachs Type 2 Incident Management team will continue working with Forest Service, Montana DNRC, and Granite County Sheriffs Office in suppressing all three fires with a comprehensive fire management strategy.

The Lolo National Forest has issued an enlarged forest and road closure (Order No. F17-053-LOLO-03). The closure is intended to ensure firefighter and public safety, and includes all or parts of Rock Creek Road, Brewster Creek Rd., Upper Brewster Creek Rd., Sliderock Mountain Rd., Upper Willow Creek Rd., and Rd. #8419. All or parts of the following trails are closed: Grizzly Creek, John Long, Butte Cabin Creek, Butte Cabin Ridge, Hogback Ridge, and Ranch Creek. Visit the official Sapphire Complex Fire incident information page at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5346/ for details and map of the closures.

Fire Update: Fire growth on all three fires was primarily in an easterly direction with minimal behavior and some torching of single and group trees. These fires continue to be influenced by high temperatures, low relative humidity, very dry vegetation, wind conditions, and topography. Fuels are dry enough that the fire is now fuels-driven as much as wind-driven.

Goat Creek: (approx. 4,592 ac.) The fire progressed toward the east with little substantial growth. Line constructed near yesterdays burning operations from Babcock Mountain to Babcock and Spring Creeks was completed and cleaned up. The construction of indirect fireline by dozers and handcrews continues along ridgelines from Babcock Mountain beyond Burnt Mountain southeast toward Strawberry Mountain. The objective is to tie in with the east side of Sliderock Fire. Today, operations continued to clean line construction from Rock Creek Road to Babcock Mountain. This line continues east to the head of Babcock Creek. Crews continue to patrol for burning material that may break loose and roll downhill toward the structures along Rock Creek and Brewster Creek. Night shift continues to aid in this effort by checking and maintaining portable tanks and hose lays set at strategic locations.

Little Hogback: (approx. 4,018 ac.) Fire activity continues to be low. Growth occurred on the northeast flank of the fire as well as to the south towards Hogback Creek. Heavy equipment constructed and improved old fuelbreaks east of Sandstone Ridge moving north to south from Standish Creek towards Sawpit Gulch along FS Road 4325. Hose lays plumbed with portable tanks remain in place to protect structures around the Hogback and Morgan Case Homesteads along Rock Creek Road.

Sliderock: (approx. 513 ac.) The fire continues to slowly move east, but overall growth was not significant. Slop overs on this fire were quickly extinguished with aircraft. Hotshot crews monitored the line on the southeast side of Sliderock Fire for any hot spots.

Cinnabar 3: (approx. 15 ac.) This fire, not part of the Sapphire Complex, in the Welcome Creek Wilderness was located on Sunday evening by air resources. It was worked again Friday by smokejumpers and two hotshot crews as well as supported by helicopters. This fire is approximately 15 acres and, while not contained, it is well-secured.

Weather: A slight chance of thunderstorms exists for the evening and overnight on Friday. Outflow winds of 20-30 mph are possible during this time as well but chances diminish overnight. The coming days will be hot and dry with humidity remaining low overnight. Winds will be light out of the west/southwest at 5-10 mph and will be terrain driven.

Fuels: Large woody fuel is extremely dry and at near record low moisture content. Shrub and grass fuel moistures are reaching levels where this vegetation is starting to burn more aggressively.

Special Concerns: As fire operations are closer to residential areas, it is important for firefighters to be able to work around structures and on the fireline without interruption. This ensures the safety of firefighters as well as residents in the area. Especially in the evening and at night or when the fire is active, do not concentrate in areas with narrow roadways so that firefighters are able to move and maneuver equipment without issue. By providing firefighters space to work, they can more efficiently carry out their missions, protect homes in the fire area and keep residents safe.

An abundance of dead and dying trees pose an extreme hazard to firefighter safety. Other challenges to suppression efforts are the steep, rocky slopes, limited access, and radio communication issues associated with the rugged terrain.

Granite County has entered Stage II fire restrictions for all private land in the county except for reasonable agricultural purposes. For more information, see firerestrictions.us.

More Information: Fire behavior can change rapidly and visitors are encouraged to contact Fire Information at 406-540-3589 or email sliderockfire@gmail.com for current fire information. Current Fire and closure information is posted on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5346/ and on the Lolo National Forest Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest/

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Crews make progress on fire line construction at Sapphire Complex - NBC Montana