(Blaine county) – A wildfire has currently broken out in Blaine County at Coal Ridge 5 miles north of Stafford Ferry near the Missouri river and was reported at 1pm on August 29th. Gina Baltrusch the public affairs officer for the North Central Montana District of the Bureau of Land Management talks about the fire and the response to it.
“The Coal Ridge fire is currently burning on BLM, Montana DNRC, and Private Lands near the Missouri River about 5 miles North of Stafford Ferry in Blain County Montana. At about 3pm it was estimated at about 450 acres and appears to be growing quickly due to windy conditions with active fire behavior burning timber, dry grasses, and sage brush. A type 3 incident management team lead by BLM’s North Central Montana District assumed command of the fire about 4:30. Multiple overhead, engines and dozers are assigned to the fire. Collectively about 40 personnel from BLM, Montana DNRC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Blaine County Emergency Management and even private resources are working together to fight this fire.”
She continues by talking about the efforts being taken and safety.
“Aerial resources are assigned as well as helicopters, air tankers, and air attack. They were temporarily grounded yesterday afternoon for crew safety because of the windy conditions. The wildfire initially reported at 1pm it was located in a remote area of the Upper Missouri river Breaks National Monument. Wild land fire fighters are working to prevent the fire from spreading toward two structures and a natural gas infrastructure near the area. We ask that the public please stay clear of this area and do not operate unmanned aircraft, those are drones, in this vicinity. do not engage any activity that could obstruct active fire operations and increase the risk to our firefighters.”
UPDATE August 30th: As of August 30th, the Blaine County Coal Ridge fire has been properly mapped thanks to cooler temperatures and calmer wind conditions.
The fire is currently predicted to encompass approximately 1,200-acres, burring about 166 of Bureau of Land Management managed lands, including areas within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and Havre Field Office areas, 250 acres of state managed lands and 790 private acres.
The fire received about 1/10-inch of rain on the morning of August 30th, and current fire behavior is minimal.
UPDATE September 5th: The Coal Ridge fire has been deemed controlled as of September 4th at 7 am. The fire was declared 100% contained on Saturday after fire fighters were able to cut the fire off from any surrounding fuel in the area. Forces then spent the weekend preforming mop up of the burn.
Crews were released after the fire was declared controlled. The cause for the fire is still unknown.
