State Creek fire over 3,000 acres

The State Creek Fire near Whitehall is currently at 3,140 acres. Officials are reporting they are at 50 percent completion of their objectives for the lighting caused fire that was detected on August 29.

On Monday crews were working to hold and improve the existing fire perimeter and prep work was implemented to stop any fire progression to the south.

There are currently a total of 160 personnel on the fire 16 miles northeast of Whitehall that include 2 medium helicopters, 1 Water Tender, 1 Skidgen, 6 Type 6 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (7 person), 1 Rappler Module (4 person) 1 Type 1 Crew (18 person), 1 Type 2 IA (20 person), 1 AI crew (7 person) and miscellaneous overhead.

On Sunday, Crews continued with the burnout operations, and re-enforcing fire perimeter. Planned burnout operations were completed by end of shift and aviation was used to slow fire growth to the north.

The fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees. Some of the strategic objectives for this fire include protect private residences and structures, protect heritage sites, keep fire off private land when possible, minimize effects to fish populations and minimize the spread of noxious and invasive weeds.

Earlier this month, Bureau of Land Management's Butte Field Office has issued an Emergency Closure Order temporarily restricting camping, day use, road access and hunting in the Little Whitetail and Hay Canyon areas in Jefferson County due to the State Creek Fire.

The BLM closure is in coordination with other orders issued by the U.S. Forest Service regarding the State Creek Fire, 16 miles northeast of Whitehall.

The BLM order prohibits access to the area to ensure public safety and avoid conflict with the ongoing fire suppression activity in the area.

For more information, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142