Fire Watch

Containment grows on Chrandal Creek fire

Posted: Jul 28, 2012 2:24 PM by Mark Thorsell - MTN News

DARBY- Fire crews are continuing to make progress in battling the 2,500 Chrandal Creek fire that's burning in the Bitterroot National Forest 42 miles south of Darby. Officials say containment on the lightning sparked blaze is now up to 60% as firefighters took advantage of the cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, and cloud cover on Friday.

The northwest, north, east, and south sides of the fire are largely contained, and firefighters worked Friday on getting a handle on the western portions of the fire perimeter. They also started to set up ose lays with pumps to directly attack and suppress hot areas along the fire's edge.

(photo courtesy inciweb.org)

Temperatures on Saturday are expected to be in the upper 70's at the fire scene with relative humidity in the upper teens and light winds out of the southwest. Fire officials say the blaze is not expected to grow on Saturday and crews will be to continue direct hand line construction by hotshot crews on the west side of the fire, with the support of helicopters.

There are 391 fire personnel, including twelve 20-person crews, five helicopters, three engines, one dozer and four water tenders assigned to the Chrandal Creek fire and the Stage 1 Evacuation Notification is still in effect for residents in the upper Hughes Creek area above Chrandal Creek.