As of last night’s (July 31) flight, the Hay Creek Fire was at a calculated 2265 acres (917ha) based on the infrared imagery…

(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-31-HayCreek-FNF-Update.pdf)

INCIDENT UPDATE

The southwest flank of the fire remains the most active, exhibiting single and group tree torching and making short crown runs. Overall fire behavior is moderate however, unseasonably hot and dry conditions will result in noticeable fire activity continuing overnight.

Conditions during the burn period on Friday allowed for further firing operations from the Hay Creek Road along the eastern front with the intent to reduce available fuels ahead of the main fire. Helicopters dropped buckets along the southwest flank of the fire to aid ground personnel in holding their line along the road.

Previously established roads and fuel breaks are being widened and reinforced along primary and contingency lines between the main fire and private properties to the east.

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 July 31

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/2021/07/Hay-Creek-Fire-Public-Information-Map-July-31-2021.pdf

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/2021/07/July-29-2021-Hay-Creek-Fire-Map.pdf

(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-29-HayCreek-FNF-Update.pdf)

INCIDENT UPDATE
Fire activity was moderated by light rain Wednesday morning resulting in minimal smoke production throughout the day. Conditions were favorable to conduct small burnout operations to consume pockets of unburned fuel and help to hold the Hay Creek Road. Crews and heavy equipment continued to make progress strengthening fuel breaks, widening roads, and connecting past silvicultural forest management treatments. Nightshift observed single tree torching and several fire-weakened trees across the Hay Creek Road. Today fire personnel will work to cool spot fires identified south of the Hay Creek Road and continue to assess any structure protection needs. The Type 2 Incident Management Team (California 13) will transition to take over the fire on Sunday, August 1st.

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 (NP) has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier NP 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://go.usa.gov/xFjcC.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY
High pressure will strengthen over the area on Thursday bringing warmer temperatures and dry conditions. Winds will be 5-9 mph out of the Southwest with gusts up to 20 mph. Poor humidity recoveries in the thermal belts will allow active fire behavior throughout the evening. 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. Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 29

As of last night’s (July 28) infrared flight, the Hay Creek Fire was officially at 1945 acres (787ha). Here’s the imagery…

As of the infrared flight at 9:30pm last night (July 27), the Hay Creek Fire was officially at 1867 acres (756ha). Here’s the imagery…

(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-27-HayCreek-FNF-Update.pdf)

INCIDENT UPDATE

On Monday, afternoon cloud cover moderated fire activity. The fire remained active on the west flank, exhibiting isolated and group tree torching and short wind-driven crown runs. The priority objective is holding the line at the Hay Creek Road. Crews are laying hose and will potentially initiate firing operations to burn the remaining available fuels along the road if conditions allow. Spot fires to the south of the road were checked by bucket drops for the second day. Heavy equipment task forces will continue work to widen existing roads to connect past silvicultural forest treatments and build contingency lines.

A new spot fire was detected on the lower third of the south facing aspect in front of the east flank, estimated at ¼ acre. The spot is expected to establish and burn out available fuels ahead of the main fire.

Active fire behavior will likely continue to be observed at night due to low humidity and warm evening temperatures.

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 north to and including Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park (NP) has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier NP 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://go.usa.gov/xFjcC.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 27