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| The Roaring Lion Fire burned in Ravalli County near Hamilton, Mont., in 2016. |
The Roaring Lion Fire was first noticed on Sunday, July 31, 2016, near Hamilton, Montana. Hamilton is located in Ravalli County and is situated on the eastern fringe of the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness. The cause of the fire was determined to be the result of a campfire started by teenage hikers camping five miles southwest of town. The campfire was not completely extinguished and remained partially active. A cold front moved in days later causing windy conditions that likely fanned the remaining embers. The burn area spanned a half-dozen named drainages all contributing to the Bitterroot River. The fire moved rapidly, becoming a threat to human life and property within the first six hours. Little or no warning was given before evacuations were underway. Evacuees were away from their homes for up to two weeks.
Numerous structures and private property were lost as a result of the fire. Ultimately, the fire would consume 8,658 acres of standing timber and grass understory, 16 homes, and 49 outbuildings. The costs associated with battling the blaze totaled 11 million dollars.
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| High intensity burn area after the Roaring Lion Fire that has hydrophobic soil conditions. |
Fire intensity was moderate to high in most areas. The high intensity burn areas created a situation of hydrophobicity in the soils. Some of these areas are expected to experience hydrophobic conditions for as long as 12-18 months post fire. These conditions can have negative impacts on the landscapes' ability to remain stable during precipitation events.
Increased runoff volumes from precipitation events can result in mud and debris flows. The probability of these runoff conditions is a safety concern for the landowners living in or adjacent to the burn area.
The Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) notified affected landowners about the potential risks and impacts associated with post fire landscape conditions.
The Montana NRCS and Bitterroot Conservation District, the local sponsor, worked on four sites using the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. These sites possessed infrastructure that became vulnerable due to post fire hydrology.
The Montana NRCS implemented repair and protective measures on two other damaged sites. The NRCS was responsible for providing reasonable solutions, design drawings, specifications, and financial support for installation costs. NRCS reimbursed the local sponsor, Bitterroot Conservation District for 75 percent of the estimated construction cost. Sponsors were responsible for securing a 25 percent match, permits, land rights, easements, and construction contracts. All projects were located on private property. The project sponsors drafted side agreements with the landowners to hire the contractors, provide the 25 percent financial match, cover over-run costs, and assume operation and maintenance responsibilities.
The following are examples of the EWP work that was completed under emergency conditions.
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| Pre-Condition - Loss of head gate resulting in uncontrolled irrigation water. Threat of burned snags falling on structure. |
Post Condition - New head gate and diversion works. Burned snags felled. |
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| Pre-Condition - Risk of significant increase in expected surface runoff in ephemeral draw leading to home. |
Post Condition - Installation of rock lined channel at toe of drainage diverting runoff around home. |
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| Pre-Condition - Existing road crossing culvert lacking post fire runoff capacity. Severe pre-fire erosion at outlet. |
Post Condition - New culvert, plunge pool, and rock chute installation with post fire runoff capacity. Note: All work and materials located under the bed of the road were paid, 100%, by the sponsor and/or landowners. |
