Author: Bill Walker

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

Clarification: North Fork resident access via Camas Road

View East into Glacier NP from Glacier View Mtn, April 16, 2017 - W. K. Walker
View East into Glacier NP from Glacier View Mtn, April 16, 2017 – W. K. Walker

This was passed along by Diane Sine, a Glacier Park public affairs officer who is currently on assignment at the Hay Creek Fire . . .

I just wanted to make sure you have the most up-to-date information from the park concerning North Fork residents being able to use the Camas Road for pre-evacuation preparedness without having a ticketed entry reservation.

When entering the park at West Glacier, they need to tell the folks at the ticketed entry checkpoint that they are a North Fork property owner needing to get to their property for evacuation preparation. They will then be allowed to proceed to the regular West Glacier entrance station, where they will show their park pass or pay the entry fee and explain their situation and ask to be issued one of the special North Fork property owner ticketed entry passes. They will then have this ticketed entry pass which will allow them to get through ticketed entry for future evacuation preparation trips – as usual, a regular park entrance pass is also required.
Night work is still scheduled on the Camas Road Monday-Thursday starting at 7 pm for the next two weeks, so make sure folks know that they won’t be able to use the Camas Road during those times.
In the event of an actual evacuation order, the Camas Road would be available for egress 24 hours with or without special passes.