The Flathead National Forest just published information on this fall’s prescribed burns. The only entry of local interest is this one (listed under “Hungry Horse District” for some reason)…
Red Whale Fuels Reduction— Approximately 750 acres will be targeted for prescribed burning this fall in Moose creek and Moran creek. This project location is in the North Fork of the Flathead about 4 miles northwest of Polebridge. Depending on weather this burn is planned for mid to late September to early October. The purpose of this project is to help restore a more historical fire regime to the ecosystem, improve wildlife habitat and reduce hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk and aid in potential future fire suppression efforts and improve wildlife habitat.
Of course, any prescribed burn is contingent on weather, fuel conditions, and air quality lining up just right.
Greetings all! The latest Wildland Fire Potential Outlook was released today, and it is as expected. The continued hot and dry weather in early September will give us above normal fire activity in Northwestern Montana:
The good news, of course, is that we did receive a little precipitation in the North Fork – and that was welcome. But, we have two to three weeks of fire season left at least. Days are getting shorter, nighttime temperature and humidity recovery is significantly improving (except in the thermal belts), which really decreases fire activity.
We aren’t out of the woods yet – and we have the potential for some significant fire yet this fall, especially if we remain warm and dry through September into October.
National Park Service Glacier National Park
Incident Commander: M. Lewelling
Fire Information Email: glac_fire_line@nps.gov
Fire Information Recording: 406-206-6099
Fire Information Office: 406-206-5272 (8 am to 6 pm)
Quartz Fire grows two acres; crews patrolling after Thursday’s lightning
Current Situation: The Quartz Fire was mapped at 1698 acres last night, resulting in a two acre increase over the infrared mapping done Tuesday night. Consistent rains over the past few days have significantly reduced fire activity. Scattered heat remains within the fire’s perimeter.
Wet weather over the Quartz Fire resulted in additional lightning to the area. Glacier fire personnel observed many lightning strikes resulting in two fires in the northwest region of the park. The Numa Lookout observed one lightning strike in the late afternoon resulting in a tree torching. A crew accessed the area via helicopter but did not find any active fire yesterday. Firefighters will hike in from Bowman Lake today to patrol the area and will be prepared to respond if any new fires are discovered. Firefighters located at Quartz Lake observed a second lightning strike in the Quartz drainage near the Quartz Fire, but there was no smoke observed after the afternoon rain. Crews will continue to patrol and scout the Quartz area today.
Weather: Winds are expected to increase on Friday ahead of a cold front that will pass over Glacier on Saturday. Winds will be 10-20 mph from the west through the day and 5-15 mph overnight, which may slightly increase fire activity during the warmest part of the day. Smoke may be visible if fire activity increases.
Closures: Glacier National Park has enacted a Closure Order for the areas, campgrounds, and trails within the Quartz Lake drainage from the Continental Divide to the Inside North Fork Road for the protection of park visitors, employees, and natural resources. This includes the Quartz Lake Loop trails starting from just south of Bowman Lake toward Quartz Lake, as well as the Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake Wilderness Campgrounds. A map of the closure is available on InciWeb.
Fire Restrictions: The fire danger rating in Glacier National Park is currently Very High. All park visitors are reminded that campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grates and should be kept small. Never leave a fire unattended and drown any campfire with water until cold to the touch before leaving it.
Air Quality: National air quality and smoke conditions can be monitored at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Visibility in different parts of Glacier National Park can vary from hour to hour, depending on fire and wind conditions both locally and throughout the west. Check the park’s webcams at https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm for current views.
Quartz Fire Statistics: Size: Approximately 1698 acres Total Personnel: 35 Start Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022 Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning Location: 25 miles north of West Glacier
This information was received from Ryan Butler, Assistant Fire Management Officer-Operations for the Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District. Note that the Coal Ridge Fire is still about 10 acres . . .
[ Update! All trails in the Coal Ridge Fire vicinity (trails 2, 239 & 4) have reopened. ]
Not much to report on Coal Ridge fire. Yesterday was quiet with no growth and only smoldering was observed. Two cells did go over the fire yesterday and district personnel are hiking up to the fire today to confirm how much rain was received on the fire. As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have question. Thank You
Coal Ridge Fire (2), August 25, 2022 – USFSCoal Ridge Fire (1), August 25, 2022 – USFS
The Weasel Fire has grown very little over the past couple of days, gaining only 43 acres overall for a total of 5044, most of it in Canada. Today, August 25, Firefighters continue to improve areas along roads, clear debris from the roadway and are providing point protection of resources in the area. Lower temperatures and an increased chance of rain showers is predicted with thunderstorms this today. Fire managers continue to monitor, assess, and coordinate with Canadian efforts.
Quartz Fire before a rainstorm on August 23, 2022 – NPS
From the press release . . .
National Park Service Glacier National Park Incident Commander: M. Lewelling
Fire Information Email: glac_fire_line@nps.gov Fire Information Recording: 406-206-6099 Fire Information Office: 406-206-5272 (8 am to 6 pm)
Weather tempers fire activity on Quartz Fire
Current Situation: Weather has limited fire activity on the Quartz Fire over the past two days, and no measurable growth has been recorded. Additional rain is expected over the fire area today with a chance of lightning in the general area this afternoon.
Fire personnel continue scouting areas near the fire and assessing structures and other park facilities in anticipation of drier weather moving into the fire area and potential increased fire activity in the coming days. Crews continue to be available to respond to any new fire starts that may result from recent lightning.
Quartz Fire after rain showers on August 23, 2022 – NPS
Weather: Showers and thunderstorms are predicted to continue today. On Friday, showers and thunderstorm activity are forecast to become less widespread. A dry cold front is expected to pass over the fire area starting Saturday. The frontal passage is expected to bring lower relative humidity and gusty winds over the weekend and into early next week. These conditions may lead to increased fire activity through the weekend.
Closures: Glacier National Park has enacted a Closure Order for the areas, campgrounds, and trails within the Quartz Lake drainage from the Continental Divide to the Inside North Fork Road for the protection of park visitors, employees, and natural resources. This includes the Quartz Lake Loop trails starting from just south of Bowman Lake toward Quartz Lake, as well as the Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake Wilderness Campgrounds. A map of the closure is available on InciWeb.
Fire Restrictions: The fire danger rating in Glacier National Park is currently Very High. All park visitors are reminded that campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grates and should be kept small. Never leave a fire unattended and drown any campfire with water until cold to the touch before leaving it.
Air Quality: National air quality and smoke conditions can be monitored at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Visibility in different parts of Glacier National Park can vary from hour to hour, depending on fire and wind conditions both locally and throughout the west. Check the park’s webcams at https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm for current views.
Quartz Fire Statistics: Size: Approximately 1696 acres Total Personnel: 35 Start Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022 Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning Location: 25 miles north of West Glacier
Quartz Fire Perimeter and Closure Area, August 24, 2022
Coal Ridge Fire burn scar below old Coal Ridge Lookout site, August 24, 2022 – USFS
This information was received from Ryan Butler, Assistant Fire Management Officer-Operations for the Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District. Note that the Coal Ridge Fire is still about 10 acres . . .
Yesterday was pretty uneventful on the Coal Ridge Fire. Cloud cover and high humidity kept fire behavior to smoldering of heavy fuels. Attached are some photos of our recon flight. As you can see in some of the photos north aspects are too wet to support fire. Ground crews will be out on the 317B rd again today and I will report back to you all if there is rain in the rain gauge. Once the T-storms and rain move out of the area, looks like Saturday, we will have a contingent back up on Coal ridge. As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have question. Thank You.
Coal Ridge Fire – view from south along ridgetop, August 24, 2022 – USFSCoal Ridge Fire Location
Structure Protection Pump and Quartz Fire August 21, 2022 – NPS
From the press release . . .
Incident Commander: M. Lewelling
Fire Information Recording: 406-206-6099
Fire Information Phone: 406-206-5272 (8 am to 6 pm)
Fire Information Email: glac_fire_line@nps.gov
Wet weather results in minimal growth on Quartz Fire
Current Situation: No new fire activity was observed on the Quartz Fire yesterday. Last night’s infrared flight mapped 18 acres of fire growth over the past two days, with the current fire acreage at 1696 acres. Scattered and isolated heat sources were detected with no areas of intense heat.
Wildland Fire Module crew members relieved Glacier National Park firefighters at Quartz Lake yesterday. Firefighters at Quartz Lake will continue structure protection efforts and scout areas near the fire. Additional crews will patrol both the east and west sides of Glacier National Park for any new fires resulting from recent and ongoing lightning.
Weather: Showers and thunderstorms are expected again today and are expected to become stronger in the afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from noon through late tonight. High temperatures are forecasted to be 80-90° in valleys and 63-73° on ridges. Rains in the fire area have increased humidity levels over the past few days. Higher humidity has contributed to reduced fire behavior. Humidity is expected to remain high into the weekend.
Closures: Glacier National Park has enacted a Closure Order for the areas, campgrounds, and trails within the Quartz Lake drainage from the Continental Divide to the Inside North Fork Road for the protection of park visitors, employees, and natural resources. This includes the Quartz Lake Loop trails starting from just south of Bowman Lake toward Quartz Lake, as well as the Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake Wilderness Campgrounds. A map of the closure is available on InciWeb.
Fire Restrictions: The fire danger rating in Glacier National Park is currently Very High. All park visitors are reminded that campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grates and should be kept small. Never leave a fire unattended and drown any campfire with water until cold to the touch before leaving it.
Air Quality: National air quality and smoke conditions can be monitored at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Visibility in different parts of Glacier National Park can vary from hour to hour, depending on fire and wind conditions both locally and throughout the west. Check the park’s webcams at https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm for current views.
Size: Approximately 1,696 acres Total Personnel: 35 Start Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022 InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8337/ Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning Location: 25 miles north of West Glacier Fire Information Office: 406-206-5272
Coal Ridge Fire from the Ridge, August 23, 2022 – USFS
This information was just received from Ryan Butler, Assistant Fire Management Officer-Operations for the Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District. Note that the Coal Ridge Fire is listed as a 10 acre blaze this morning . . .
An additional note from late this afternoon: “…no growth was shown on the fire overnight. Wetting rain was confirmed over the fire area and the fire is only smoldering in areas of heavy fuels. More wetting rain is anticipated over the next two days.”
Fire activity on Coal Ridge was brief yesterday. Not much growth observed from the day before. We did order Infrared Mapping last night (NIROPS) but they were unable to fly due to weather. We have an order placed tonight. This will give us a more accurate size and location of heat. Activity was mainly on the ridge top with single and group torching. As we have seen throughout the fire season on the district the north aspects don’t seem to be receptive to fire and we observed no fire on the north slopes in Moran Creek Drainage. We did have district fire folks on the ground yesterday to verify fire activity and difficulty in terrain. They had to take shelter in Moran Patrol cabin in the afternoon when a cell came over with heavy rain and hail. They guessed at least a tenth of rain on the fire. As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have question. Thank You.
Coal Ridge Fire, August 23, 2022, 1325 – USFSCoal Ridge Fire Location
On Saturday, July 30, 2022, the lightning caused Weasel fire originated on the Kootenai National Forest and advanced across the Flathead National Forest into Canada. The National Forests are closely coordinating with the BC Wildfire Service Incident Management Team in Canada, located in Cranbrook. Reporting on the Canadian portion of the fire can be found at the BC Wildfire Service website.
The fire on the U.S. side is currently estimated at 2,310 acres. Yesterday fire activity continued to be slightly active with creeping, backing and individual tree torching due to winds and terrain. The fire continues to burn in heavy dense fuels in steep, rugged and unpopulated terrain.
Today, August 23, Firefighters continue to improve areas along roads, clear debris from the roadway and are providing point protection of resources in the area. Lower temperatures and an increased chance of rain showers is predicted with thunderstorms this evening. Fire managers continue to monitor, assess, and coordinate with Canadian efforts.
Fire information will be providing updates every other day unless significant changes occur.
Weasel Fire from Thoma Lookout, August 22, 2022 at 1945 – Leif Haugen, USFS
Map:
Weasel Fire Map, August 23, 2022
Current Closures:
An area closure order is in place and posted that restricts access to the burned fire area. The purpose of the closure is for public safety. The FS #319 road to the Weasel Cabin is closed, and FS #114 road to Polebridge is closed due to road construction unrelated to the fire. The fire closure and road construction closure maps are also posted on InciWeb.
Weasel Fire Area Closure Map
PREVENTION MESSAGE
Know Before You Go – Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for current Montana fire restrictions. Currently the Kootenai and Flathead National Forests are not in restrictions.
Fire Danger: Very High
When the fire danger is “very high”, fires will start easily from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and have a quick increase in intensity, right after ignition. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirls. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires
