The Forest Service issued their last press release on the “Hay Creek Complex” wildfires today, handing off control to local personnel . . .
On 8/5/14 at 8:00 PM, the Hay Creek Complex will be turned over to the Glacier View/Hungry Horse Ranger District managers who will continue with any patrol. Any questions or concerns, please contact the Flathead National Forest GVHH District Office in Hungry Horse at (406) 387-3867.
Here’s the latest report from the Forest Service concerning the Hay Creek Complex fires on the North Fork. It was posted at about 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 4. See the related Inciweb page for further details . . .
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 5 current fires, and 7 have been contained and controlled. The fires are being managed as a fire complex. The fires had burned in heavy timber, in steep, rough terrain. The fire behavior is small smokes in some of the duff on the forest floor. The fire complex consists of a total of 23 acres, with approximately 50% contained. Multiple resources are assigned to the fire including four 20-man crews, 3 helicopters, one Type 6 engine crew, and a local Type 3 management team, for a total of approximately 123 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, but no new fires were started. Today, fire fighters will continue with mop up and patrol of the two larger fires, Akinkoka and Hay Creek Fires. Fire fighters and helicopters not needed will be demobilzed and made available for other fires in the region.
SPECIAL MESSSAGE: 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.
| Current as of | 8/4/2014, 12:25:33 PM |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Total Personnel | 123 |
|---|---|
| Size | 23 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 50% |
| Fuels Involved | Heavy timber, in steep, rough terrain. |
| Planned Actions | Continue with mop up and patrolling of the two remaining fires, Akinkoka and Hay Creek Fires. Demobilize the fire fighters and helicopters not needed. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity | Continue with mop up and patrolling of the two remaining fires, Akinkoka and Hay Creek Fires. Demobilize the fire fighters and helicopters not needed. |
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 . . .
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.
| 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 |
| Total Personnel | 145 |
|---|---|
| Size | 19 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 20% |
| Fuels Involved | Heavy timber, in steep, rough terrain. |
| 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. |
The newspapers aren’t giving the North Fork’s “Hay Creek Complex” wildfires much attention, but there’s lots of radio traffic.
Here’s what seems to be going on…
The first clutch of fires, including the Akinkoka, Mathias and Hay Creek #1 and #2 blazes, are under control. The Tuchuck, Moose Creek and the Johnson Creek Fires have all been “controlled and contained.” However, yesterday’s storms have triggered several new fires that are generating a lot of chatter today. None of these new fires are very big — maybe a couple of acres worst case — but they are attracting aggressive suppression efforts:
The Forest Service has a helibase operating from Moran Meadow, south of Polebridge. Please don’t stop or walk out there for a closer look. Those folks are kind of busy right now.
There are officially no trail closures.
Please read the morning fire report for more information and background. I will post the evening report as soon as it becomes available.
The Inciweb page for this set of fires is also updated regularly.