NFLA

From the official fire report . . .

INCIDENT UPDATE

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.

Map:

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.

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

 

(NOTE: Unless something exciting happens with the Weasel Fire, this will be the last morning update for this blaze. Instead, I’ll be passing along the official “Fact Sheet” which is usually released in the afternoon. – ww)

Summary: The Weasel fire remains active, gaining 408 acres since the last reliable estimate about three days ago.  In the U.S., the fire is 20% contained; Canada is also establishing containment lines to the east.

According to this morning’s IR (heat mapping) pass, the Weasel Fire gained 408 acres since the last accurate estimate about three days ago and was estimated at 5001 acres. The fire is still active and expansion was broadly distributed. Better than half (55%) of the fire is in Canada. The fire is now 20% contained within the U.S. section; Canadian personnel have been establishing containment lines along the fire’s northeastern/eastern flank to block spread into the Flathead Valley.  The blaze is currently burning in the Kootenai National Forest (19%), the far northwest corner of the North Fork in the Flathead Forest’s Glacier View district (26%), and in Canada (55%). See the attached map for fire location and extent.

The US and Canada are working together to control the Weasel Fire. From the InciWeb site: Jurisdictional collaboration is occurring between the Incident Management Team (IMT) in the United States located in Eureka, Montana and the BC Wildfire Service Incident Management Team in Canada, located in Cranbrook. The two IMT’s are closely coordinating on wildfire management and are sharing resources as required.

The area closure associated with the fire was finalized August 9 and includes segments of both the Kootenai and Flathead Forests. For the North Fork, this affects an area above Trail Creek Road north to the border and from the Whitefish Divide east to the Frozen Lake Road vicinity. Trail Creek Road remains open. See the attached map and closure order document. Also note that, beginning August 22, major work will be in progress in the Glacier View Ranger District on Trail Creek Road (NFS 114) that will restrict travel for about a month.

Monitor the Weasel Fire InciWeb site for additional information (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8290/); in Canada, visit the British Columbia Wildlife Service “Weasel Creek Fire” site (http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=883). Also keep an eye on the NFLA website for fire-related postings.

Summary: Clouds again hampered an accurate estimate of the Weasel Fire’s extent but the fire did not appear to have made significant gains.  In the U.S., the fire is 20% contained; Canada is also establishing containment lines to the east.

Reminder: Heavy road work begins on NFS Road 114 (Trail Creek/Grave Creek Road) today. It may take up to four weeks for completion, during which time the road will be closed to through traffic. See this post  for details.

According to Saturday morning’s IR (heat mapping) pass, the Weasel Fire gained 390 acres and was estimated at 4593 acres. (Cloudiness has prevented estimates for the last couple of days, so the current fire extent is likely a bit larger.) Better than half of this area — and most of the fire growth — is in Canada. Expansions were along Couldrey Creek on the northern flank and in Lincoln County along the southwest perimeter. The fire is now 20% contained within the U.S. section; Canadian personnel have been establishing containment lines along the fire’s northeastern/eastern flank to block spread into the Flathead Valley.  The blaze is currently burning in the Kootenai National Forest, the far northwest corner of the North Fork in the Flathead Forest’s Glacier View district, and in Canada. See the attached map for fire location and extent.

The US and Canada are working together to control the Weasel Fire. From the InciWeb site: Jurisdictional collaboration is occurring between the Incident Management Team (IMT) in the United States located in Eureka, Montana and the BC Wildfire Service Incident Management Team in Canada, located in Cranbrook. The two IMT’s are closely coordinating on wildfire management and are sharing resources as required.

The area closure associated with the fire was finalized August 9 and includes segments of both the Kootenai and Flathead Forests. For the North Fork, this affects an area above Trail Creek Road north to the border and from the Whitefish Divide east to the Frozen Lake Road vicinity. Trail Creek Road remains open. See the attached map and closure order document. Also note that, beginning August 22, major work will be in progress in the Glacier View Ranger District on Trail Creek Road (NFS 114) that will restrict travel for about a month.

Monitor the Weasel Fire InciWeb site for additional information (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8290/); in Canada, visit the British Columbia Wildlife Service “Weasel Creek Fire” site (http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=883). Also keep an eye on the NFLA website for fire-related postings.