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Dunn Mountain Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 9/4/2008

This incident is 100% contained.

Approximate Location

46.241 latitude, -108.347 longitude

Summary

The Dunn Mountain Fire was sparked by lightning on Friday evening, August 22, 2008. Firefighters made good progress on the blaze the first few days and were close to containment before a passing cold front on Monday evening, August 25, produced significant winds and exponential fire growth. By Saturday night, August 30, the fire had grown to 102,383 acres. Firefighters completed preliminary lines around the most actively growing section of the fire, east of Fattig Creek, Sunday, September 1st. Up to an inch of rain fell Sunday evening and Monday. As a result, fire officials felt secure enough about containment lines to declare the fire 100% contained. Continuing mop-up and rehabilitation work will continue for weeks. Heavy, woody fuels will continue to smolder for quite some time, and many islands of unburned fuels still exist within the fire's perimeter.
This map shows the progression of the Dunn Mountain Fire.

Progression Map
Credit: DNRC Southern Land Office

view pictures || view maps

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire 
Cause Natural Causes 
Date of Origin Friday August 22nd, 2008 aprox 03:00 PM 
Location 30 miles northeast of Billings. 
Incident Commander Rick Kusicko 

Current Situation

Total Personnel 94 
Size 102,383 acres 
Percent Contained 100% 
Fuels Involved

Tall grass, dead and down timber with pockets of brush.

Fire Behavior

Scattered burning of stump holes and heavy fuels within the fire's perimeter.

Significant Events

Completed demobilization of most resources except team members and critical resources.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Until fire is controlled, local office plans to have a strike team patrol the perimeter and mop up hot spots adjacent to perimeter. Management of the fire will be returned to the local DNRC and BLM offices on 09/03/2008.

Growth Potential

None

Terrain Difficulty

Extreme

Remarks

Ongoing cooperative efforts between Incident Management Team, Musselshell, and Yellowstone Counties. Fire officials estimate that 12 structures were saved as a result of suppression efforts. Five structures, including one trailer and four outbuildings, were destroyed during extreme fire behavior between Friday and Saturday nights. Estimated acreage by ownership are as follows: BLM= 738 acres Bank-head Jones= 8,473 acres State= 3,003 acres Private= 89, 971 acres

Weather

Current Wind Conditions Not available 
Current Temperature Not available 
Current Humidity Not available 

Unit Information

    Montana DNRC
    Fire & Aviation Management
    2705 Spurgin Road
    Missoula, MT 59804

Incident Contacts

Jeff Bollman
Phone: (406) 247-4404
Jennifer Costich Thompson
Phone: (406) 245-6512
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