Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 26

(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-26-HayCreek-FNF-Update FINAL.pdf)

INCIDENT UPDATE

On Sunday the fire continued to back all the way down to the Hay Creek Road in several areas. The fire was most active on the west flank with isolated and group torching, and short wind-driven crown runs. Spot fires south of the Hay Creek Road were cooled down by bucket drops from a Type 1 helicopter.

The fire is anticipated to be active again today with the potential for large volumes of smoke from the west flank. A task force of heavy equipment will continue work to widen existing roads to connect past silvicultural forest treatments and build contingency lines. Firefighters will work to hold the Hay Creek Road and continue work with the Sheriff’s Department to identify needs and strengthen plans for structure protection.

EVACUATIONS

The Flathead County Sheriff’s department has expanded the phased Evacuation Warning to include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms up 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 have been put in place and have been expanded. See details at Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFjcC.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 26

Possible critical fire weather this week

July 22, 2021 Hay Creek Fire from the air, 2 pm

We just got a note from the fire team about some critical fire weather coming up. It looks like conditions may kick off Monday afternoon, with high temperatures and elevated winds. Looks like maybe some thunderstorms next week, too.

See NWS Missoula Weather Briefing July 25 2021 – YouTube for video discussion and

https://www.weather.gov/wrh/fire?wfo=mso for the text forecast.

Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 25

(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-25-HayCreek-FNF-Update FINAL.pdf)

INCIDENT UPDATE

Calmer winds led to less fire spread on Saturday. The fire slowly backed down to the Hay Creek Road. Two helicopters dropped water to help control fire spread, including on a new spot fire of lower intensity. Existing roads and timber units were tied together with dozer line to provide additional protection in the area of the Moran Basin Road #5241.

Today, resources will continue to reinforce shaded fuel breaks and use heavy equipment to tie together existing roads and fuel breaks to limit future fire growth. Crews will identify needs for possible structure protection.

EVACUATIONS

The Flathead County Sheriff’s department expanded the Evacuation Warning area. In addition, 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 have been put in place. See details at Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFjcC.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 25

Polebridge Mercantile provides WiFi hotspot during Hay Creek Fire

From this morning’s Facebook post . . .

The Mercantile has posted our wifi password to the fire information board in Polebridge. This network will be available and free to the public for the duration of the fire event. Thanks Will.

Hay Creek Fire now estimated at 1160 acres

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 at 1160 acres, July 24, 2021

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 24^th 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

Smoke from Hay Creek Drainage Fire, July 21, 2021 - W K Walker — Smoke from Hay Creek Drainage Fire, July 21, 2021 – W K Walker

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.

July 22, 2021 Hay Cr. Fire Evacuation Warning Map