Category: Committees

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

Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 31

(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

Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for July 29

(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