INCIDENT UPDATE
Operations to reinforce the Hay Creek road have succeeded in creating a defensible fireline along the road and the avalanche chute along the west side of the fire. Crews will continue to mop up this southern edge and move the major focus to reinforcing the fireline in the Spruce Creek area with heavy equipment.
Both ends of the fire that are tied into the Hay Creek Road remain active, with a minimal rate of spread. Friday’s increased winds created visible smoke in these areas, with heavy fuels continuing to burn that were not extinguished by the rain last week. Although some increased fire behavior was seen Friday afternoon and evening due to increased winds, cooler temperatures and smokey conditions that reduce solar heat on the fire have helped keep fire spread minimal. Helicopter bucket drops Friday were effective in cooling the most active areas of the fire to the east.
Montana is experiencing EXTREME 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 include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to 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
A cold front moved in on Friday, with cooler temperatures and winds that reached 36 mph on the ridges and 20 mph at Polebridge. Winds will increase on Saturday with gusts to 40 mph possible up high and decrease on Sunday. Rain and thunderstorms are likely from late Saturday night through Sunday with a good chance of a wetting rain across the fire. Flooding is possible this weekend due to the forecast weather, so travelers need to drive defensively, due to fire traffic and road construction in the area. 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 feet of elevation and is being managed under a full suppression strategy.
Public and firefighter safety is the number one priority. The fire has no recorded injuries to date. Additional priorities include minimizing impacts to private property, structures and critical infrastructure.