Mandatory evacuations remain in place for the community of Spalding, Gallatin Marina, Ronald McDonald House, and the Merrill, Christie, Eagle and Aspen campgrounds this morning with Whaleback Fire mapped at 18,726 acres.
The communities of Buck Bay and Stones Landing are under evacuation advisory. County Road A1 is closed to the north at Lakeside Dr. near Buck Bay and to the south at Alta Dr. in Lake Forest.
County Rd 105 is closed at HWY 44, and County Rd 231 remains closed at this time.
According to the incident commanders the fire activity was minimal overnight with some increase in humidity. Fire personnel continued to mop-up where safe to do so.
Today firefighters will focus on the mop-up and improvement of existing containment lines along with providing structure defense for community of Spalding, Buck’s Bay, Stones Landing and developed recreation areas. Fire crews will also be constructing contingency lines.
As of the current mapping 55% of the fire’s perimeter is contained.
A Red Flag warning for gusty winds and low humidity has been issued for today at the fire. Spotting potential is high under these weather conditions. Strong winds and low humidity is forecast into the weekend.
Over the next twelve hours firefighters expect that the northwest and northeast area of the fire may continue to grow influenced by gusty southwest winds and dry forest fuels. Minimal fire is expected on the southern and eastern flanks.
There are currently 780 firefighters working on the Whaleback.
