With the Dominic Point fire 90% contained, this morning Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King signed an order rescinding the closure area around the fire.  Since last Sunday, Willow Mountain Road has been closed to the public along with areas around Dominic Point approximately 4 miles north, 2 miles south, 5 miles east and 1 mile west.  A temporary flight restriction over the area has also been lifted.

Even though the area is now open, forest officials caution the public to be careful and drive slowly as fire crews will still be patrolling this week and working to mop up.  The public should also be on the lookout for falling snags and burned out stump holes.    

Two Bitterroot Forest fire crews are still assigned to the fire along with several engines.  All of the aerial support including four helicopters and retardant planes have been released from the fire.  Officials expect to have the fire 100% contained this week and will begin dismantling fire camp along Willow Creek Road later today.

“I can’t thank the 200 plus personnel enough who assisted us on this fire,” said Stevensville District Ranger Dan Ritter.  “It looked pretty grim last Sunday but the ground crews dug in and held their lines and the aerial support saved Willow Mountain Lookout.  The weather cooperated also and that played a big role in our success.”  

In other fire news, the forest is currently managing 9 wilderness fires, 8 are in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and 1 is in the Anaconda-Pintlar. They are all approximately 1/10 acre. These naturally occurring fires ignited by lightning play a critical role in ecosystems by recycling nutrients, regenerating plants, and reducing high concentrations of fuels that can contribute to disastrous wildland fires.

So far this year, the Bitterroot National Forest has managed a total of 45 fires at 925 acres. Two fires are staffed with firefighters at this time. Both the North Lost Horse and 10 Mile fires are controlled.  They are located in the Darby Ranger District and are 1/10 acre.

For the latest fire information and maps and photos visit www.inciweb.org or contact Tod McKay at 406-363-7122.

Fire crews spent the day digging fire line along the north side of the Dominic Point Fire and made good, steady progress in their attempts to completely circle the 900 acre blaze which started on Sunday.  Firefighters, including five Type I “hotshot” teams worked in rugged terrain, with thick vegetation and downed timber which made constructing the northern line the most difficult.  Crews have worked the last two days to construct fire line around the entire southern and eastern flanks of the fire.  

Cooler weather and rain the last two days have allowed crews to make great progress on containing the blaze.  Today, officials increased containment to 40 percent up from 10 percent just 24 hours ago.        

Thursday afternoon’s warmer temperatures and drier conditions increased fire behavior and crews had to call in a helicopter to perform water drops.  The weather outlook is not very promising for Friday, as a high pressure system that moved into the area today will likely bring warmer temperatures and increased fire behavior until Saturday.

Update on Other Fires in the Bitterroot Mountains

Crews made good progress on two new lightning fires discovered today, and ten others reported yesterday following a thunderstorm that moved across the valley.  Five are completely out and three others are controlled or contained.  The largest fire still burning is just 1/4 acre in size.

July 25, 2010, Hamilton, MT

A wildfire near Hamilton, Montana has grown to approximately 75-100 acres.  The Dominic Point Fire was first reported at approximately 3:00 p.m. and is located 12 miles northeast of Hamilton; two miles west of Willow Mountain Lookout.  The fire, on the Stevensville Ranger District, is burning in steep timber and has grown in size from its initial estimate of 35 acres.

There are no homes in the area and the only accessible road in and out, Willow Mountain Road, has been closed at the junction of Willow Mountain and Butterfly due to active fire conditions and expected future fire behavior.  The Gold Creek Campground remains open at this time but the Gold Creek Trail #321, is closed.

At this time 20 firefighters and four engines are battling the blaze along with four helicopters which are performing water drops and four retardant planes are also assisting in the efforts.  All available crews from the Bitterroot National Forest are currently on the fire and will soon be assisted by 80 additional firefighters, including two Type I “hotshot” crews, which have been dispatched to the area and are scheduled to arrive early tomorrow.

For a time, the fire threatened Willow Mountain Lookout.  In the process of evacuating the Lookout the fire crossed the one way road out to safety.  The Lookout and rescue crew drove on to Burnt Fork Lake and along with four private citizens who were recreating in the area were safely evacuated by helicopter to the Hamilton Airport.   

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but officials believe it could be a hold over lightening fire from last Thursday when nine other blazes were started by a thunderstorm.     

Little change is expected in the fire this evening.  The next scheduled update will be Monday afternoon.  Contact Tod McKay for additional information.  Current information is also available at the Stevensville Ranger Station, at 777-5461.