7/27/14 5:30 pm Some Smoke Seen around Carlton - North Zone

Smoke seen today (27th) north of the ski area.

Operations personnel say they had a few reports today of smoke seen around the North Zone of the Carlton Complex. During the evening Planning Meeting, there were reports of helicopters responding to some smoke on the north end of the fire east of the Pearrygin Lake area. Nothing to worry about, just the heat making the fire a bit active again and helicopters worked to cool off the hot spots and hold the fire in check. Same situation over on the northeast corner where some trees were torching in the increasing heat and again, helicopters dropped water to keep the edge cool. There was no measurable spread in either area.

To the south west, near the MacFarland and Gold Creek area, more individual smokes and in the "donut hole" in the middle, same thing.  Reports of smoke and flame flaring up on private property kept crews responding most of the day with helicopters dropping water as needed..

It's expected that the coming triple digit heat will continue to cause smoke to show and trees to torch. Crews have been working hard to complete mop-up in areas that are contained and complete line where its not contained, in order to try and secure the perimeter before the hottest and driest weather arrives.  It continues to be unlikely that the burnout planned for the northern area will happen soon, as the weather is not conducive to a safe, low intensity, firing operation.