We’ve added some new material and reviewed and updated the links on the Fire Information Links Page. Mostly, this was a matter of chasing down the ever-changing location where the Flathead National Forest posts its fire data.
At present, the link to the Fire Information Page has a permanent home in the “NFPA Site Links” section of the sidebar. We’ll likely be moving it to a tab on the navigation bar one of these days.
Yesterday’s stiff winds blew up the Ninko Creek Fire to 500 acres from the previous 35. Here’s the latest information, as reported by the Flathead Beacon . . .
The Ninko Creek Fire located approximately 40 miles north of Columbia Falls in the Whale Creek Drainage on the Flathead National Forest had increased fire activity on Saturday, September 26. The fire increased to approximately 500 acres and is burning towards the 2003 Wedge Fire. The fire remains to the north of Forest Road #10355. Resources assigned to the incident include the Flathead Hot Shot Crew, several fire engines including two contract engines, and aerial resources. Forest Roads #318, #9805 and #907, Whale Creek, Ninko Creek and Wedge Canyon Roads, are closed at this time. Trail closures in the area are anticipated as well.
This one’s becoming a nuisance, folks.
If you want to keep an eye on things, see the InciWeb listing for the Ninko Fire.
Strong, gusty winds accompanying a cold frontal passage this evening may fan area fires. The Daily Inter Lake has a write-up, including some discussion of the Ninko Creek Fire north of Whale Creek . . .
A fire red flag warning has been issued for Western Montana today as strong winds, coupled with low humidity and dry fuels, are expected to significantly increase fire danger.
The warning, in effect from this afternoon through tonight, comes as meteorologists predict that a passing cold front will bring widespread and sustained westerly winds of 15 to 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
At some higher elevations, winds could blow from 30 to 50 mph with gusts of up to 80 mph, according to meteorologists who issued the warning Friday afternoon.
According to an Associated Press article, Montana and Idaho are setting hunting season quotas for wolves this year. This is likely a pro forma action, since any wolf hunt will be challenged in court by a number of environmental groups.
The Missoulian reports that Montana is probably in for a normal fire season. “Normal” means something on the order of 420,000 acres burned and around 1800 fires, mostly human-caused.