The Hay Creek Fire is now just under 1160 acres (470ha) and has reached, and even crossed, the Hay Creek Road at a few spots . . .
Hay Creek Fire now estimated at 1160 acres
Author: Bill Walker
Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 24
(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-24-HayCreek-FNF-Update FINAL.pdf)
INCIDENT UPDATE
The Hay Creek fire grew to over 1,006 acres Friday afternoon and is currently 4 miles west of Polebridge. The fire is burning in heavy decadent timber on steep slopes of the Hay Creek and South Fork Red Meadow drainages. Single and group tree torching, short-range spotting, and short crown runs occurred throughout the afternoon. This moderate fire behavior combined with the heavy timber fuel type resulted in substantial smoke production. The fire is more active on drier south-facing slopes and under wind influence, but moderates on north-facing slopes. Today firefighting resources including heavy equipment and hand-crews will continue brushing out roads and improving fuel breaks on the Hay Creek, Red Meadow, and Spruce Creek Roads.
EVACUATIONS
The Flathead County Sheriff’s department issued 20 pre-evacuation notices to structures in the vicinity of the Hay Creek Fire on Wednesday, July 22. See details at Inciweb: July 22, 2021 Evacuation Warning
CLOSURES
Road and trail closures are in place. See details at Inciweb: Flathead National Forest Closure Order
WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY
Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 24
Hay Creek Fire now estimated at 1000 acres
As of this morning (July 24), the size of the Hay Creek Fire is estimated at about 1000 acres (405ha). This image from the Montana DNRC’s Interactive Wildland Fire Map website shows the fire boundary in context with the nearby area . . .
Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 23
Please note that there is a community meeting Saturday, July 24th at 6:00PM. The meeting will take place at the Sondreson Community Hall parking lot.
Incident Update
Resources on scene observed active fire behavior through the night. The fire is burning in the Hay Creek drainage in the North Fork of the Flathead National Forest and is being managed for full suppression. Due to safety concerns associated with steep terrain, thick timber, and current fuel conditions, fire managers are using indirect tactics. Today firefighters will continue brushing out roads and improving fuel breaks on the Hay Creek, Red Meadow, and Spruce Creek Roads, as assessing the need for future structure protection
Fire command transitioned to a Type 3 Incident Management Team 6am Friday morning, July 23, 2021.
EVACUATIONS / STRUCTURES THREATENED
The Flathead County Sheriff’s department issued 20 pre-evacuation notices to structure in vicinity of the Hay Creek Fire on Wednesday. See associated pre-evacuation notice.
Weather Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 23
Hay Creek Fire – Glacier Park suspends backcountry permits; extra personnel on-call
Extract from a note from Jim Dahlstrom, Glacier Park’s Polebridge District Ranger:
…the Park is temporarily suspending the issuing of backcountry camping permits.…we have extra rangers coming up all weekend in case we need to mobilize and move people.
Hay Creek Fire – Evacuation Warning Issued by Flathead County Sheriff’s Office
From the Hay Creek Fire InciWeb site . . .
Flathead County Sheriff’s Office issued an Evacuation Warning to residences in the North Fork Area earlier today [July 22, 2021]. The Evacuation Warning area begins at approximately the Gravel Pit North of Polebridge, including residents accessing their home from Long Bow Trail, and follows the North Fork Road up to Red Meadow Road, then extends West. The Evacuation Warning also includes residents on the North side of Red Meadow Road. Please see the attached Hay Creek Fire Evacuation Warning Map dated 22JUL2021.
An Evacuation Warning means there is a potential threat to life and/or property. This warning is issued to give residents time to prepare for a possible evacuation. Residents & Visitors who require additional time to evacuate or need to move pets or livestock are advised to begin the evacuation process now.
Hay Creek Fire Inciweb site now online
All right! The Inciweb site for the Hay Creek Fire is on the air. It is still not fully populated, but already has some useful information, including the fact that a Type 3 management team takes over Friday morning.
Pre-evacuation notifications in progress – Hay Creek Fire
From a Moose Creek resident…
Sheriff was just here. They are focusing Red Meadow to Hay Creek today just to say what is going on. They will reassess tomorrow and head up Whale and Moose Creek. They may close the NF to non landowners in 3 or 4 days. Of course short of helicopters and crew but lots of fire engines, grading NF road as well. He said spread the word.
Stage II Fire Restrictions Implemented across NW Montana
Note that the fire danger in Flathead County is now rated at Extreme.
This press release is also downloadable in PDF format…
Northern Rockies Coordination Group
Northwest Montana Area
For Immediate Release: July 22, 2021
Stage II Fire Restrictions Implemented across NW Montana
Kalispell, MT, July 22, 2021 — Interagency fire managers agreed to implement Stage II Fire Restrictions that will go into effect at 12:01am Monday, July 26th, 2021 across the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks sites, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Kalispell, Stillwater, and Swan Units, and Flathead County.
Continue reading Stage II Fire Restrictions Implemented across NW Montana
Hay Creek Fire – first press release and initial fire information
The Hay Creek Fire started brewing up yesterday, July 21, on top of the ridge along the north edge of the Hay Creek Drainage (see map below). The Forest Service dispatched assets to fight this fire in the late afternoon. By evening, it was about 50-60 acres in extent. According to early morning radio chatter, the fire laid down overnight but was starting to pick back up. Here is the first press release regarding the Hay Creek Fire, sent out yesterday evening at abut 10:00pm. You can also download it as a PDF.
