National Outlook for Wildland Fire Potential – June 1

The following information was provided by Allen Chrisman…

Here is the June 1 National Outlook for Wildland Fire Potential. It is forecasting a slower than normal fire season for the Northern Rockies for June and July, moving to a “normal” fire season in August and September. That is the good news. Locally, the hot dry weather we have had recently makes things a bit more combustible.

Bottom line, even if we are still in the active burning period (by permit, of course), let’s be careful out there. I passed up burning last week because it appeared that things would carry just too well with the hot dry weather.

Mark your calendars for the North Fork’s 2017 Firewise Day, which will be held the morning of July 19, preceding the Summer Interlocal. For more information, see “Fire Mitigation Committee Report, Late Winter 2017” by Molly.

Hearing Set for Short Term Rental Zoning Proposal

The Daily Inter Lake has an article about the upcoming hearing. It begins… The zoning proposal to regulate short-term rental housing throughout much of Flathead County is the focus of a public hearing next week before the county commissioners. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1, in the commissioners’ chambers on the third floor of the county courthouse in Kalispell.

The article goes on to say… The proposal no longer includes the North Fork area because guest cabins are a permitted use in the North Fork Zoning District.

Read the full Daily Inter Lake article here. For more information on what this is about, see Flathead County Short Term Rental Regulation Proposal – Summary

Bike Ride on June 3 – UPDATE

Due to unfavorable weather, the biking group decided to reschedule our June 1 “Avalanche Campground to the Loop Ride” for Saturday, June 3. We will meet at Pittman’s at 8 am to carpool. We will drive to the Transit Center in Apgar and utilize the biker’s shuttle to take us to Avalanche Campground. The weather is predicted to be beautiful on Saturday!
Valerie

Valerie Cox sent in the following about a planned North Fork bike ride. Come join neighbors and friends!

Ride Route: Avalanche Campground to The Loop in Glacier National Park
Distance: 16 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Date: Thursday, June 1
Time to Meet: 8:00 am at Linda Pittman’s place to carpool to Avalanche Campground and Picnic Area Parking Lot

Please bring a lunch to eat at The Loop before heading back on the return ride. Also bring bear spray and rain gear.

Fun-filled Hall Clean-up Day 2017

Spring cleaning is lots of fun when it is accomplished in a community.

Nineteen North Forkers gathered on Saturday, May 27, for the annual Hall Clean-up.  Wood was split and hauled into the Hall for both wood stoves.  Rafters were dusted and windows were washed.  The kitchen was cleaned and re-organized.  The floor was vacuumed.  The outhouses were scrubbed and new paint was added.  Fences were repaired.  The generator shed was swept.  A fallen tree was cut up for firewood and brush was stacked on the burn pile.

With so many helpers available, the work was accomplished quickly with lots of time for visiting and sharing news.  Lunch was prepared by Alan Peura who cooked burgers and veggie burgers on a grill to add to the assortment of salads and cookies.

Bark Ranger Presentation

From hydroponicshighway.com

On Saturday, June 3rd, is the first NFLA Business meeting of the year, starting at 8PM at Sondreson Hall.

Before the meeting is going to be a presentation (starting at 7PM) by Glacier Park’s Dog Handler Mark Biel with Gracie “the Bark Ranger” on an innovative approach to critter control.

With the help of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Glacier Park implemented a Bark Ranger pilot project to determine if a trained herding dog could help reduce human-wildlife interactions at Logan Pass this summer.

And Gracie, a 2-year-old female border collie, is the first.  So come meet Gracie on June 3 and learn all about the cutest ranger of them all.

North Fork Patrol Spring Board Meeting

The North Fork Patrol had its spring board meeting on Wednesday, May 24. Here are two main highlights:

  • Currently there are 130 properties on our list; all have been checked and 10 were notified concerning damage or other issues.
  • The board voted to give an individual a monetary award for the reporting of a poaching up north.

The North Fork Patrol, with the written permission of a landowner, checks North Fork properties for evidence of trespass, poaching and external physical damage. For more information about the North Fork Patrol and who to contact if you are interested in signing up, see the North Fork Patrol page.

Nonie’s Schoolhouse History

The schoolhouse at Ford
The old Ford School, 1937 or 1938. Bottom row, from left, Jimmy Ballard, Vincent Hensen; middle row, Leonard Wurtz, Nonie Day (Chapman), Dorothy Wurtz; back row, Bud Holcomb, Thelma Wurtz and teacher Betty Nicholson.

From Larry Wilson’s column on May 17, 2017 in the Hungry Horse News: Nonie’s Schoolhouse History. It says… The Ford School was the only school Nonie ever attended, and the land for the school was donated by her stepfather Ralph Day. The school was built by the community, just like the Community Hall years later. Nonie started school when she was 6 in 1934, but she can’t remember what year it was built. Read Larry’s full column here.

Jim Dahlstrom, New Ranger at Polebridge

Jim Dahlstrom is the new Glacier National Park ranger at Polebridge. He was kind enough to provide us with a biography (see below). Jim will be coming to an NFLA business meeting early in the summer to get acquainted. Welcome Jim!

I began my career with the NPS in 1999 at Rocky Mountain National Park first as a volunteer, then as a backcountry ranger for two seasons before becoming a law enforcement ranger in 2002.  I’ve spent time working at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Pipestone National Monument, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Teton National Park, and most recently was Chief Ranger for the Niobrara National Scenic River in Nebraska.

My wife Christy (also a NPS alumni) and I met at Rocky, and were married in Estes Park.  We have an 8 year old son, Gerard, and 6 year old daughter, Medora.  We enjoy camping, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, and fishing as a family and are so excited to be coming to the North Fork.  If you are around the Ranger Station this summer and you hear someone yelling “Bear!”  keep in mind the kids might be playing with our pug.

My emphasis on serving as a NPS ranger has always been to serve the visitor, while protecting the Park’s resources.  I have had the pleasure of working in some amazing places and have always found that it is the dedicated individuals in local communities  that step up to help take care of our country’s treasures.

I first heard about the North Fork early in my NPS career, as a place of tremendous beauty and genuine rustic character.  I knew back then that being able to serve in an area like that would be my idea of heaven.  I am humbled at the opportunity to serve this area and one of the crown jewels of the NPS, and look forward to making new friends and helping take care of one of America’s crown jewels.

1st Aid and CPR Training with Certification Reminder

Although the May 30th 1st Aid and CPR training has been filled, openings are still available in the June 20th class.

On June 20th, Bob Lee is providing 1st Aid and CPR training with certification beginning at 9AM at Sondreson Hall, lasting most of the day. Please bring your lunch and drinks. The cost is $35. This class is limited to 10 individuals. Please contact Randy Kenyon at 752-5935 or kenyonnorthfork@gmail.com to reserve a spot.