INCIDENT UPDATE

The Hay Creek Fire burned actively in dead and down fuels producing increasing smoke on Wednesday, but movement was minimal. A second heavy equipment task force arrived to help assist with operations in the Spruce Creek area. Structure protection personnel and a helitack crew completed structure wrapping of the Coal Ridge Cabin, a remote historic structure without road access. Crews are now staying in the new spike camps in the Home Ranch Bottoms/Cyclone area.

Today, crews will continue to secure and connect an avalanche slope on the west end of the fire with Hay Creek Road #376. Other personnel will scout areas north and south of the fire for additional contingency lines. Fuel reduction continues along the southern edge of the fire and on primary and contingency lines between the fire and private lands to the east and northeast. Fire personnel will continue to be in the community sharing information and planning for structure protection.

 Travelers need use extra caution in driving due to fire traffic and road construction in the area. Most of Montana is experiencing EXTREME fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect with campfires prohibited. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for additional Montana fire restrictions.

 EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Warnings include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to and including Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier National Park north of Logging Creek. See details at https://go.usa.gov/xFjcA and Current Fire Information – Glacier National Park.

 CLOSURES

Road and trail closures are in place. See details at Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7712/62192/.

 WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Seasonal temperatures are expected today with a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm. A front moving in on Friday will usher in much cooler temperatures and notably stronger winds later Friday afternoon through Saturday with gusts to at least 40 mph possible. A chance of showers and thunderstorms will continue through the weekend. For the most current fire weather forecast go to https://www.weather.gov/wrh/fire?wfo=mso. For smoke and air quality go to http://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/. For current visibility in Glacier NP see https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm.

 INCIDENT BACKGROUND

The Hay Creek Fire was reported on the evening of July 21, 2021. It is burning in the North Fork area of the Flathead National Forest at 5,200 feet of elevation and is being managed under a full suppression strategy.

As of last night’s (August 4) flight, the Hay Creek Fire was still at a calculated 2677 acres (1083ha) based on the infrared image . . .

Here’s the latest Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map showing fire extent, closures and current evacuation zone boundaries . . .

PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hay-Creek-Fire-Public-Information-Map-Aug-5-2021-1.pdf

INCIDENT UPDATE

There was minimal growth to the fire on Tuesday, as fire activity was tempered by cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels. Smoke continued to be produced on both the east and west sides of the fire, and an infrared scan detected heat around the entire fire perimeter. The Incident Management Team began establishing two spike camps for approximately 100 firefighters in the Home Ranch Bottoms area to reduce travel time to the fire, reducing fatigue and increasing efficiency in operations as crews anticipate future fire fighting needs to control this “sleeping giant.”

Crews will be flown to the Coal Ridge Cabin today to evaluate needs for structure protection and the possible use of structure wrap to protect the historic structure in the event it is reached by fire. Crews are establishing temporary stream crossings to allow fire fighting vehicles to continue to move west on Hay Creek Road #376.

Both hand crews and heavy equipment continue to expand and improve primary and contingency lines in the Spruce Creek and Red Meadow areas. The structure protection group continues to work with local agencies to develop the structure protection plan.

Please exercise caution when driving in the area due to fire fighting traffic and equipment. Most of Montana is experiencing EXTREME fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for Montana fire restrictions.

EVACUATIONS 

Evacuation Warnings include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to and including Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier National Park north of Logging Creek. See details at https://go.usa.gov/xFjcA and Current Fire Information – Glacier National Park.

CLOSURES 

Road and trail closures are in place. See details at Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7712/62192/.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 4

As of last night’s (August 3) flight, the Hay Creek Fire was at a calculated 2677 acres (1083ha) based on the infrared image . . .

Here’s the latest Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map showing fire extent, closures and current evacuation zone boundaries . . .

PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hay-Creek-Fire-Public-Information-Map-Aug-4-2021.pdf