Small Town News
Fires burn in Sand Basin/Lily Lake
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CopyTwo lightning-caused fires are burning on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in southwest Montana. Both fires are being managed for resource benefits.
The larger fire is the 33 acre Sand Basin Fire located about 23 miles southwest of Philipsburg on the Pintler Ranger District. It is burning in the Sapphires Wilderness Study Area in an area of heavy slash caused by a micro-burst blowdown that occurred a few years ago. When the fire is active, smoke may be seen from the Georgetown Lake, Philipsburg and Bitterroot Valley areas.
"We are monitoring and mapping this fire on a daily basis," stated Charlene Bucha-Gentry,
Pintler District Ranger, "the heavy concentration of downed logs carry the fire, but the un-derstory is still green and the fire burns itself out when it reaches the green vegetation." Also, the fire is surrounded by fire scars from fires that occured in the area in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The fire is not expected to affect the Skalkaho Highway and there are no immediate plans to close either the Sand Basin or Bowles Creek Roads.
The second incident is the 50 acre Lily Lake Fire burning about four miles east of Wisdom and about three-fourths mile east of Lily Lake. It started on August 13 and has been creeping, smoldering and burning in short, uphill runs on south facing slopes.
"We are managing the Lily Lake Fire for resource benefit," said Russ Riebe, Wisdom District Ranger.
"Fire is an important tool for restoring healthy forests and rangelands. Because of the moist, green condition of the forest this summer, we have an opportunity to closely monitor the fire to ensure that it stays within our defined area and continues to meet objectives."
A three mile segment of forest trail #3380 from the McVey Trail junction, to Sand Lake is now closed to the public.
Updates of status can be obtained at the Wisdom Ranger District, phone 689-3243.
Copyright 2009 Philipsburg Mail, Philipsburg, Montana. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2009 Philipsburg Mail Philipsburg, Montana. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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