Conrow Fire

Conrow Fire
Conrow Fire on August 31, 2017
Date(s)August 24, 2017 (2017-08-24)
LocationBeaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest, Jefferson County, Montana, in the United States
Coordinates45°56′02″N 111°59′20″W / 45.934°N 111.989°W / 45.934; -111.989
Statistics[1]
Burned area2,741 acres (11 km2)
Ignition
CauseLightning
Map
Conrow Fire is located in Montana
Conrow Fire
Location of fire in Montana.

The Conrow Fire was a wildfire that burned seven miles northeast of Whitehall in the Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest in Montana in the United States. The fire was started by a lightning strike on August 24, 2017. It has burned 2,741 acres (11 km2) and has threatened homes, ranches and mining operations in the area.

Events

The Conrow Fire was started by a lightning strike on August 24, 2017, on private land seven miles northeast of Whitehall, Montana.[2] By August 27, the fire had grown to 2,727 acres (11 km2) and had moved onto Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service land in Jefferson County. The fire threatened 25 structures, including cellphone towers, mining areas, homes and cattle ranches along the Highway 69 corridor.[3]

By the next day, the fire threatened one more structure, totaling 26 and structure assessments began in the Antelope Lane area.[4] On August 28, a containment date of September 2 was set and two Chinook helicopters joined the firefight, dropping water on the fire.[5] The fire began to dramatically impact air quality, with the help of other fires burning in the area, including creating the worst air quality day in two years in Butte.[6] On August 30 the fire was declared 65% contained at 2,727 acres (11 km2).[7][8] Crews changed the full containment date from September 1 to September 6.[7]

As of September 5, the fire expanded to 2,741 acres (11 km2) and was 97% contained, with fire lines successfully holding the fire, despite the fire's close proximity to unburned fuels.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Conrow Fire". InciWeb. Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  2. ^ News, MTN. "Conrow fire near Whitehall at 2,050 acres burned". KPAX. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "Conrow Fire Update August 27, 2017". InciWeb. Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Conrow Fire Fact Sheet - August 28, 2017". InciWeb. Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Conrow Fire Fact Sheet - August 29, 2017". InciWeb. Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  6. ^ Ayer, Justin (30 August 2017). "Butte residents experience worst air quality day in 2 years". KECI. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  7. ^ a b Smith, Mike (30 August 2017). "Only snow can end Montana fire season, chief says; area fires updated". Montana Standard. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Conrow Fire fact Sheet - August 30, 2017". InciWeb. Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Conrow Fire Update - Sept. 5, 2017". InciWeb. Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest. Retrieved 14 September 2017.