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…
Here’s the latest Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map showing fire extent, closures and current evacuation zone boundaries. The main change from yesterday’s map is the closure of Moose Creek Road…
PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/July-27-2021-Hay-Creek-Fire-Map.pdf.
(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-27-HayCreek-FNF-Update.pdf)
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.
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.
Road and trail closures are in place. See details at Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFjcC.
Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kalispell, MT, July 26, 2021 – Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has expanded the Evacuation Warning in the North Fork area. Sheriff Deputies have been systematically notifying residents in the expanded Evacuation Warning area over the weekend, and throughout today.
Please see the attached Hay Creek Fire Evacuation Warning Map dated 26JUL2021.
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.
Several people have asked me how to do nice things for the folks working the Hay Creek Fire. Here’s the word from Diane Sine, the Fire Information Officer . . .
“There will be a fire camp set up by the West Glacier KOA starting tomorrow [July 27], and that would be the place folks could drop off any goodies. Everyone working up the North Fork will either be sleeping there or showing up there for briefings, whether day crews or night crews.”“Firefighters also always appreciate thank you signs or posters, if that’s the sort of thing that anyone would enjoy making. In addition, if folks ever want to recognize firefighters, the organizations we steer them toward are their local volunteer fire departments and https://wffoundation.org/.”
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/pio_11x17_land_20210725_1749_HayCreek_MTFNF000668_0726.pdf
(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-26-HayCreek-FNF-Update FINAL.pdf)
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.
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.
Road and trail closures have been put in place and have been expanded. See details at Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFjcC.
Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 26