KALISPELL - Firefighters are working to contain several fires on the Flathead National Forest as hot and dry weather conditions continue.
Area closures are now in place for public and firefighter safety associated with the Tin Soldier Complex, the Ridge Fire, and the Stadium Creek Fire.
Fire danger is extreme, and Stage II Fire Restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug 5, 2023.
Tin Soldier Complex: (comprised of the Sullivan, Kah Mountain, and Bruce Fires) is currently estimated at 2,061 acres. Firefighting crews are engaging in point source protection of values at risk, setting up sprinklers and hose and enhancing fuel breaks with heavy equipment around private property and around the Spotted Bear Ranger Station. Fire personnel are conducting initial assessments and preparations for structure protection.
Con Kelly Mountain Fire: Previously included in the Tin Soldier Complex, is now successfully controlled and firefighters will be transported off-site by aircraft.
Ridge Fire: Now estimated at 633 acres. Due to the hot and dry weather conditions, the fire is actively burning on all sides in steep terrain with heavy dead and down fuels with smoke visible from U.S. Highway 2 and Hungry Horse. Firefighting crews are working to establish fuel breaks along FS Road 38 and remove combustible materials around the Desert Mountain communication towers. Aerial resources are assisting firefighting efforts by reducing the fire spread.
Glacier View Fire: A news release states it is human-caused and is estimated at 3.5 acres. Firefighters have completed containment line and are now working to reduce heat along the edge of the fire perimeter. The interior area of the fire is still producing smoke but poses no threat at this time.
Doris Point Fire: Estimated at four acres based on aerial observation on Aug. 3. The fire is burning on an 80% to 90% slope in thick timber and vegetation with prevalent large-diameter dead trees and is not threatening any values at risk.
Stadium Creek and Alcove Fires: In and just outside of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, respectively, and are not threatening any values at risk.
East Fork Fire: On the Kootenai National Forest is less than a mile from the boundary of the Flathead National Forest. It is currently estimated at 453 acres with very active fire behavior on Wednesday, including group torching and spotting in heavy timber and subalpine fir. Firefighting crews will continue to construct indirect line and shaded fuel breaks around the fire perimeter with aircraft working to slow fire behavior while equipment establishes an anchor on the fire.
Area Closures:
Tin Soldier Complex Closure Order 01-10-04-23-13: The closure area encompasses the southern portion of the Hungry Horse Reservoir from the Jewel Basin Hiking Area boundary west of the reservoir to the mountain ridgeline from Prospector Mountain along the Great Bear and Bob Marshall Wilderness boundaries to Inspiration Point in section 4 T23N R16W. The waters of Hungry Horse Reservoir within this boundary are included in the closure area.
All roads and trails within the closure are closed to the public, including two additional trails:
- NFS Trail #7 (Alpine 7) from the junction with NFS Trail #10 (Six Mile Trail), south to the Junction with NFS Trail #31(Napa Point Trail).
- Spotted Bear River Trail #2 from the Wilderness Boundary to its junction with NFS Trail #173 (Pentagon Creek).
NFS Trail #64 and NFS Road 895F are not part of the closure and remain open. A map of the described area is here.
Ridge Fire Closure Order 01-10-04-23-14: The closure area encompasses National Forest System (NFS) Road 497 and NFS Road 38 in section 3 T31N R19W, Emery Creek, the Coram Experimental Forest, Desert Mountain, and continues east to the Great Bear Wilderness boundary. A map of the described area is here.
Stadium Creek Closure Order 01-10-04-23-15: The closed area encompasses Gorge Creek drainage within the Bob Marshall Wilderness area, including Feather, Inspiration, Gorge, Canyon Trickle, and Stadium Creeks. All roads and trails within the closure are closed to the public. A map of the described area is here.
The closure includes:
- NFS Trail #105
- NFS Trail # 107
- NFS Trail #218
Stage II Restrictions will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 5 across the Flathead National Forest, Kootenai National Forest, Glacier National Park, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation - Northwestern Land Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1, and Lake County, Lincoln County, Flathead County, and Sanders County.
No new fire starts were reported Thursday on the Flathead National Forest as of 2 p.m.
