7/29/14 7:10 am Burnout Planned for East Side of Carlton North This Morning

The Carlton - North area of the complex will be conducting a burnout operation on the NE corner of the fire about 3 miles NW of the ski area.  Operations personnel were waiting for better weather, but the fire has forced their hand as it is getting into heavy down timber & beetle kill.  If it got established in that area, it would be very difficult to stop and would spread east, so a low intensity, ground fire is preferable. The firing Operation will begin (roughly) about 9 am and the plume could be visible.

Things are looking pretty good in other areas of the fire.  To the north, crews are still prepared for a burning operation east of Pearrygin Lake to tie the large spot fire into the main body of the fire and secure the western edge from moving west.  However, they are still looking for other options and there is still no certain time for that firing operation.

To the SW, they were successful in getting all the line in around the Gold Creek, Libby Creek, Macfarland Road area. However, there isn't much depth to the line and it needs to be mopped up further to ensure it will stay within that boundary.  It will be a few days before they call that area contained, but its good news that the line was completely tied in yesterday.

A lot of work is being done, and aircraft may be visible around Leecher Mountain Lookout.  They are trying to protect the lookout from burning and so are prepping the area, but the fire has been active around the tower.  Smoke has been popping up all around the open area in the center of the fire footprint, NW of Gebbers Farm.  Fuels treatments in the area have successfully kept the fire from moving into that area but torching trees have been seen around the perimeter.  Bucket work will continue there to hold that in check.