Here’s the latest report from the Forest Service concerning the Hay Creek Complex fires on the North Fork. See the related Inciweb page for further details . . .
Incident Overview
SUMMARY: Multiple fires have started on the Glacier View Ranger District following a series of lightning storms over the five preceding days. A total of 12 fires have started, with 8 current fires, and 4 have been contained and controlled. The fires are being managed as a fire complex. The fires are burning in heavy timber, in steep, rough terrain. The fire behavior is single and group tree torching with occasional spotting. The fire complex consists of a total of 19 acres, with approximately 20% contained. Multiple resources are assigned to the fire including five 20-man crews, 3 helicopters, one Type 6 engine crew, and a local Type 3 management team, for a total of approximately 143 people. These resources are being shared across all the fires in this area. There are no area or trail closures at this time.
Yesterday, the fire area had multiple lightning storms pass over, and 6 new fires started from lightning, in addition to the 3 existing fires. All of the new fires were initial attacked with full suppression strategy. Today, fire fighters will continue with suppression strategy for the fires and continue to be prepared for initial attack on any new fire starts. None of the fires received over night rain that other areas experienced.
SPECIAL MESSAGE: A helibase is set up at Moran Meadows area. These helicopters are shuttling personnel and supplies to and from the fires, as well as providing water drops on the fire. FOR THE YOUR SAFETY AND THE FIRE FIGHTERS SAFETY, PLEASE DO NOT STOP ON THE ROAD WAY OR WALK OUT ON TO THE HELIBASE.
New Start Fires
Link Lake 1 – Size: 0.1 acres Location: Lat. 48° 45.822 Long. 114° 34.290 Status: Staffed with 2 fire fighters.
Link Lake 2 – Size: 0.1 acres Location: Lat. 48° 45.822 Long. 114° 34.134 Status: Staffed with 3 fire fighters.
Mt Young 1 – Size: 0.25 acres Location: Lat. 48° 48.096 Long. 114° 37.860 Status: Not staffed, but received intense water drops from helicopters.
Mt Young 2 – Size: 0.25 acres Location: Lat. 48° 47.646 Long. 114° 39.498 Status: Staffed with 8 fire fighters.
Stony – Size: 0.25 acres Location: Lat. 48° 47.556 Long. 114° 34.218 Status: Staffed with 2 fire fighters.
Antley Creek – Size: 0.1 acres Location: Lat. 48° 54.852 Long. 114° 34.410 Status: Contained and controlled.
Akinkoka, Hay Creek, and Mathias Fires
UPDATE: On all of the fires, fire line has been fully constructed, and mop up work is continuing which is very difficult due to steep, rough terrain. Some fire fighters have been released from these fires in order to staff new start fires in the area.
Basic Information
| Current as of | 8/3/2014, 9:48:29 AM |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Tuesday July 29th, 2014 approx. 05:00 PM |
| Location | Various locations east of Whitefish Divide and west of the North Fork of the Flathead River. |
| Incident Commander | Justin Kaber, Flathead National Forest |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 145 |
|---|---|
| Size | 19 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 20% |
| Fuels Involved | Heavy timber, in steep, rough terrain. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Full suppression tactics with fire fighters and helicopters working on the fires. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity | Full suppression tactics with fire fighters and helicopters working on the fires. |