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WESTERN MONTANA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOOSE
FIRE, Columbia Falls, MT, Sept.
25, 2001
Transition of type two teams complete. Bill
Swope’s incident management team handed the reins to another western
Montana team. Chuck Stanich, the incoming incident commander, ended his
first day on the job fielding questions at a public meeting in West
Glacier Monday night. About 34 people attended the meeting to get an
update of the fire situation. The continuing low humidity
and above average temperatures caused some increase in fire activity. The
Moose fire moved further up the Dutch Creek drainage but shorter days and
minimal winds helped fire fighters gain some ground in high priority
areas. The current fire size is now 69,890 acres. Fire crews are
being supported by helicopters making water drops in problem areas. Crews
continue to secure line, mop-up and patrol. Unburned islands of fuel
within the fire perimeter have ignited to cause smoky conditions.
Resources assigned to the fire include 628 personnel; 17 Crews, 6
Helicopters, 23 Engines, 8 Dozers and 7 Water Tenders. For more information call the Fire Information Center at
892-8970 or 892-9053. Up-to-date
information, current fire perimeter maps and photos are available on the
Moose Fire web site at http://206.129.89.60/moose. The Flathead National Forest
continues to offer bus tours of the fire area. For additional information
contact the Flathead National Forest at 758-5204 or 758-5208. ### |