(PDF version of this document: 2021-07-28-HayCreek-FNF-Update.pdf)

INCIDENT UPDATE

On Tuesday, afternoon cloud cover moderated fire activity during the burn period for a second day. Downslope winds from the weather cell that moved through yesterday evening pushed the fire toward the Hay Creek Road on the southwest flank; today’s weather may provide an opportunity for firefighters to engage in firing operations to burn out the consumable fuels remaining between the Hay Creek Road and the perimeters of the main fire.

Crews were successful in laying approx. 7,000 feet of hose along the Hay Creek Road Tuesday, holding this line remains the priority objective for the current operational period. Heavy equipment task forces will continue work to widen existing roads to connect past silvicultural forest treatments and build contingency lines.

Monsoonal moisture from the southeast has led to increased humidity levels. However, weather trends are still seasonally hot and dry… active fire behavior will continue to be expected overnight.

EVACUATIONS

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.

CLOSURES

Road and trail closures are in place. See details at Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFjcC.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Warm, dry, breezy conditions are forecasted for today. 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 and is being managed by a local Type 3 Incident Management Team under a full suppression strategy using aviation resources and indirect tactics.

Public and firefighter safety is the number one priority. Additional priorities include minimizing impacts to private property, structures and critical infrastructure, and road corridors. Due to high fire activity in our region and across the country, resources are limited and are prioritized to areas of greatest values-at-risk.

PREVENTION MESSAGE

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.