Here’s this morning’s report on the Northeast Kootenai Complex fires.
Well now, here’s some good news:The North Fork area closure in the Flathead Forest and the Grave Creek/10 Lakes area closure in the Kootenai Forest have been rescinded. The Forest Service is no longer worried about the Marston Fire making a run toward the North Fork. Also, Trail Creek Road is open again. Looks like the cool, damp weather is really helping.
Additionally, Gabe Holguin’s Type III Management team is taking over from Shawn Pearson’s Type II team this evening . . .
Information Officers: Katie Knotek, Tom Rhode & Meg Nemitz
Fire Information Line: (406) 882-8308
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Email: northeastkootenaicomplex@gmail.com
INCIDENT: Northeast Kootenai Complex (includes Barnaby, Marston, and Sunday Fires)
AGENCY JURISDICTION: USDA Forest Service, Kootenai & Flathead National Forests; Montana DNRC, Libby and Stillwater Units.
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Shawn Pearson, Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team (IMT). The Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at the Murphy Lake Ranger Station.
TEAM TRANSITION: The Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team lead by Shawn Pearson has reached the end of a maximum 21 day assignment. The Team will transfer command of the fire today to Gabe Holguin’s Type III Southwest Incident Management Team at approximately 6:00 p.m. This will be the last Fact Sheet distributed by Pearson’s Team. The incoming team will begin to disperse information about the Northeast Kootenai Complex Friday morning.
WEATHER & FIRE BEHAVIOR: The cooling trend with temperatures in the 50’s and higher relative humidity around 50% will keep fire activity moderate throughout the weekend. Mild winds will be predominantly out of the southwest, and rain is predicted as the weekend progresses.
MARSTON FIRE:
The Marston Fire is at 7,000 acres with 30% containment. Crews and machinery are working east of Jager Mine reinforcing line to keep the fire south of Deep Creek. Fireline from Deep Creek south to about one mile above Sink Creek continues to hold and is keeping the fire from moving west. On the south-southwest side of the fire, crews are mopping up previous days’ burnout operations and may continue burnout operations weather permitting. Helicopters are still available and will be used as necessary to aid firefighters with slowing the fire’s progression.
SUNDAY FIRE:
The Sunday Fire, southeast of Stryker, MT, is 100% contained at 60 acres and is in patrol status.
BARNABY FIRE:
The Barnaby Fire, located about four miles northeast of Eureka, is being monitored by air daily due to its location in steep rugged terrain. Helicopters are still available to drop water as needed.
PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES: 215 personnel including 2 Type -1 crews, 2 Type – 2 crews, 2 engines, 3 helicopters (2 Type – 1 Chinook, 1 Type – 2), 1 dozer, 2 water tenders, and 1 skidgine.
SPECIAL MESSAGES/CLOSURES:
• Barnaby Fire Area Closure (Grave Creek/10 Lakes Area, Kootenai National Forest) Order #D03-066-S-15 has been rescinded.
• Northeast Kootenai Complex Area Closure (North Fork Area Closure, Flathead National Forest) Order #D07-099-S-15 has been rescinded.
• Barnaby Fire Trail Closure (Sinclair Creek Trail #88) Order #D03-065-S-15 is STILL IN EFFECT.
• Marston Fire Area Closure Order #D03-067-S-15, Kootenai National Forest, is STILL IN EFFECT.
These closure orders can be viewed on InciWeb, please see link below.
For more information on the fires, visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/; Select “Northeast Kootenai Complex.”
