Author: Bill Walker

Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 3

INCIDENT UPDATE

Due to the recent precipitation, cloud cover, and cooler temperatures, growth on the Hay Creek Fire has been minimal. The last mapping flight took place on July 31, 2021, updated acreage is posted when available. A return to warmer and dryer conditions today and tomorrow will bring increased fire potential.

Firefighters continue to prep Hay Creek Road #376 and evaluate conditions for future tactical firing operations. Heavy equipment task forces continue their work widening and establishing roads and fuels breaks along primary and contingency lines west of the North Fork Road. Crews are strengthening contingency lines between private properties and the Flathead National Forest along Red Meadow Road. The structure protection group continues to finalize their structure protection plan; the group is assessing private properties and historic cabins in addition to preparing for various evacuation scenarios.

Exercise caution when driving in the area due to recent rainfall and the potential for downed trees due to wind. 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

Hot and dry conditions return today. The chance for precipitation returns Thursday. 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 and is being managed under a full suppression strategy.

Public and firefighter safety is the number one priority. Additional priorities include minimizing impacts to private property, structures and critical infrastructure, and road corridors and natural resources. Due to high fire activity in our region and across the country, resources are limited and prioritized.

Hay Creek Fire – updated Public Information Map for August 3

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

Note the black “containment” line along part of the southern boundary of the fire. Looks like they are making some progress . . .

Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map, Aug 3, 2021
Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map, Aug 3, 2021

PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hay-Creek-Fire-Public-Information-Map-Aug-3-2021.pdf

Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 2

INCIDENT UPDATE

The western flank of the fire remained the most active during the burn period on Sunday. Crews continue to prep the Hay Creek Road #376 and evaluate conditions for future firing operations if necessary. Heavy equipment task forces continue their work widening and establishing roads and fuels breaks along primary and contingency lines west of the North Fork Road. A structure protection group was established to assess properties and historic cabins in the North Fork area.

The area received precipitation yesterday evening, quieting fire behavior and slowing the rate of spread. Precipitation can subdue fire behavior in the short term, but overall season trends will likely result in future increased fire activity. Exercise caution when driving in the area due to rainfall and the potential for downed trees due to wind.

A new fire, the Gun Range Fire, was reported along the North Fork Road just north of Columbia Falls Sunday afternoon. Aerial resources from the Hay Creek Fire responded for initial attack assistance.

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 2

Some hints on reading fire weather forecasts

Since I am following the fire weather forecasts, I had to figure out a few cryptic references. Among them…

CWR is “Chance of Wetting Rain” — how likely it is that you’ll see more than about 0.1 inches of rain.

The “Haines Index” is used to indicate the potential for wildfire growth by measuring the stability and dryness of the air over a fire. Values range from 2 to 6. The smaller the number, the better.

LAL is “Lightning Activity Level.” It ranges from 1 to 6. See below for details but, again, the smaller the number the better when it comes to fire suppression.

LAL - Lightning Activity Level Table
LAL – Lightning Activity Level Table

(PDF of above image)

Structure defense planning and assessments under way

July 29, 2021 Hay Creek Fire - USFS
July 29, 2021 Hay Creek Fire – USFS

This just in from Marc Peebles, one of the Public Information Officers (PIOs) with the Type 2 team currently managing the Hay Creek Fire…

I just wanted share that we will have Pete Lawrence our Structure Protection Specialist (STPS) and a Safety Officer in the North Fork area today doing structure defense planning and assessments. The community will certainly see him today.

Pete is a nice guy and is very experienced in structure defense.

PIO’s will be on the trapline and engaging with the public at every opportunity throughout the day.

Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 1

INCIDENT UPDATE

The management of the Hay Creek Fire has transitioned to California Interagency Incident Management Team (IMT) 13 led by Incident Commander Michael Wakoski as of 7am. The Incident Command Post is based in the West Glacier area. They worked closely with the previous IMT to ensure a smooth transition and are committed to working with the local communities and cooperators.

Fire activity remained active yesterday on both the east and west flanks, with continued nighttime activity primarily on the western flank. The fire is backing and flanking, slowly burning through the available fuels north of the Hay Creek Road #376. Heavy equipment task forces are continuing work to widen and reinforce established roads and fuel breaks along primary and contingency lines west of the North Fork Road.

Grading and dust abatement operations on the North Fork Road south of the Camas intersection have been completed. Travels are cautioned that there will be increased fire traffic in the area. 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 1