[Canyon] Fire briefing notes

[Tom Fiddaman]

Hi neighbors,

My notes from the fire briefing on Facebook just now follow. I think you 
can watch the recording on Facebook, and it will be on youtube soon.

Tom

https://www.facebook.com/events/3292595377495822/?active_tab=about

FIRE SUMMARY - Caleb

A lot of resource disengagement after blowup yesterday from 1:30

smooth evacuation and closure in afternoon

Reengaging resources cautiously

A lot of structures were involved - still assessing loss

Starting to pick up now in NW corner - high slopes of bridgers - 
retardant aircraft

Hitting S end with helicopters

County resources and heavy equip on E edge for structure
protection

Resource availability still limited

Growing slowly to North

0% containment

Fire growth to south still possible but low probability

Sheriff Gootkin

Just arrived from Bridger Canyon - wind & fire picking up

Numerous teams evacuating people (I can confirm!)

Tough issue: wind shifted, had to cover a lot of area, spread thin.

No people lost!

No, Bridger Bowl did not burn down.

Overwhelming public support.
Call 211 - easiest way to get answers matching needs/offers.

Canyon currently completely closed.

Information not generally available on home status.

Tomorrow (weather permitting presumably) they will go door to door to 
assess.

USFS Q&A

Still a rough day of weather today.

Size: 200-300 acres Fri.
11,000 acres was overest.
Infrared plane data showed 7,000 acres.
Will increase

Flight restrictions in place. No drones allowed an any level.
Drones shut down aviation, so they really need to be kept out.

Closures on the ground - in addition to roads, all of USFS in Bangtails
and Bridgers from M to Flathead pass..

Hoyt Richards - DNRC

County requested DNRC assist; provides leadership, $, other resources.

Unified command is in place.

3 DNRC firefighters took evasive action and deployed shelters, were OK. 
Released from hospital.

Don Siefert (county commissioner)

Again - use 211 for issues with livestock etc. Fairgrounds open.

72 hour fire ban in place - may be renewed.

<lost feed for a minute>

Matt Kelly - health dept

Smoke: air quality between moderate and unhealthy for sensitive groups
Be cautious about smoke exposure
- minimize time exposed
- monitor - google MT Today's Air
- check on your neighbors

Mental health: acknowledge that this is a high stress event,
loss of structures, etc. have big stress effects on
firefighters, evacuees, community
Advising:
- displaced can call 800 272 6668 to access Red Cross services
- rest of us - anxiously watching Bridgers burn - call 211 to get 
connected to services
- healthygallatin.org has info

Sheriff Gootkin question:
Evacuation levels
- Warning - don't have to go, but get ready.
- Order - get out. This will be your only notice.

Q&A - Caleb

Fire broken into two areas
- SE corner, working on containment
- Structure division - rest of area, structure protection

Models show possibility of fire growth in many directions
over next 7 days - even into Park County (E Bangtails)

This fire is pretty high priority - good air support
with multiple tankers and helicopters, spotter planes.
Started at 9am this morning including 4 VLA tankers.

Kevin Larsen, Gallatin County Emergency Mgmt

Salvation Army is lead on donation management

Capabilities to take in physical material almost overwhelmed.
More food, water, gatorade than can be handled.

Needs coordination:
- volunteerMT.org for volunteer management
- Greater Gallatin United Way and <...> have organized Bridger Foothills 
Fire Relief Fund
- 211

Q&A/wrapup

Cause: unknown, under investigation

Hoping for good weather, but a long way from done
Will dry out towards end of week
Fire will be here for a long time

Starting tomorrow management transitions to
Type 1 Incident Management Team
Adds more capacity; local resources remain as part of unified command

inciweb.org for fire incident info and updates

Recognize that this is hard!

Fire activity in Brackett Creek?
Fire will continue to move N. Bridger Bowl is a good opportunity for 
containment.
Spot fires in Slushman. Brackett Creek not yet involved but planning.