INCIDENT UPDATE
Today, August 14, the local incident command team takes over the Hay Creek Fire. The plan remains the same. Team 13, under Mike Wakowski commanding, would like to thank the North Fork community, the Flathead National Park and Glacier National Park for their welcome and support.
Logs continue to be moved off contingency lines and stacked at the Moose Creek Road # 210C. Crews continue to patrol and mop up along the Hay Creek Road # 376. A hand crew and chipper are finishing fuels removal along the Red Meadow Road. Spike camps at the Home Ranch Bottoms and in the Cyclone Peak area have been moved to the incident base in West Glacier.
With warmer and dryer weather, increased smoke from areas of residual heat is expected. A flight is scheduled for today to assess the fire. This information will be updated on Monday, August 16, or as conditions warrant.
Montana is in VERY HIGH fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect with campfires prohibited. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for additional Montana fire restrictions.
EVACUATIONS
Evacuation Warnings remain in effect. 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
Today will be hot, with temperatures in the 80’s across the fire. WSW winds will increase, with gusts of 20-30 mph on ridge tops. Afternoon relative humidity will drop into the mid-20s, increasing to 40 to 50 percent at the mid and upper elevations. There is a fire weather watch for Sunday, due to increased winds and hot, dry weather. Polebridge weather updates: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=48.7644&lon=- 114.2841#.YRccO4hKjIU
Due to fire traffic and road construction in the area, travelers should drive defensively. 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.
INCIDENT BACKGROUND
The Hay Creek Fire was reported on the evening of July 21, 2021. It is burning in the North Fork area of the Flathead National Forest at 5,200 – 7,100 feet of elevation. Public and firefighter safety is the number one priority. There have been no reportable injuries to date.