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Jumpers attack fire near Dillon
Other fires: Tumble Creek, Russian Flats and Cascade
By The Associated Press - 08/08/2008
DILLON (AP) — Eight smokejumpers parachuted to a remote lightning-caused fire Thursday, 35 miles southeast of Dillon on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
They reported the Deer Creek fire was “creeping” through duff and brush with isolated trees occasionally torching. The fire has burned about 10 acres of lodgepole pine and subalpine fir, and scattered spot fires over another five acres.
The smokejumpers reported 20 to 30 percent of the trees have been killed by insects.
The smokejumpers were dispatched from West Yellowstone.
A spokesman for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Jack de Golia, says the fire was first reported about 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Another eight West Yellowstone smokejumpers were expected to parachute to the fire Thursday.
Meanwhile firefighters continued to work Thursday on other active Montana wildfires:
The Tumble Creek Fire has burned about 620 acres, seven miles west of the Stillwater Mine southwest of Nye. Fire crews continued suppression efforts along the northern, southern and western perimeters. A structure protection group continued to patrol in the area of the mine, Mountain View, Cathderal Estates and Beartooth Lodge areas.
The Russian Flats fire, 27 miles southwest of Stanford, has burned an estimated 639 acres on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Fire crews used explosives to secure the south flank of the fire and built handline along the north and east flanks. Crews and engines continued working hot spots around the fire perimeter with support from water bucket drops by helicopters.
On the Cascade fire, six miles west of Red Lodge, crews continued to mop up and secure line Thursday. Dozer lines along the fire’s perimeter were being rehabilitated and structure protection equipment has been removed. Many firefighters who’d been assigned to the fire have been reassigned or demobilized. The fire burned 10,173 acres. 3
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