Single Publication

Ridge Fire Daily Update for August 13, 2023

Fire Information: 406-998-6074

Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Email: 2023.ridge@firenet.gov

Incident Website:  http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-ridge-fire

Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse

Size: 3,132 acres

Percent Contained: 5 %

Cause: Lightning

Start Date: July 30, 2023, 3:45 PM

Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Tall Grass, and Brush

Number of Personnel Assigned:   385

CURRENT SITUATION:  Yesterday at the southern edge of the fire, the handline with containment held with no spread toward Emery Bay Campground or Boat Launch. Engine companies installed hose lays there and are extinguishing heat found near the line. Crews continued to construct direct handline along the western edge. They have progressed into a designated area called Research Natural Area (RNA). The RNA is an area with long term research-based studies. It is managed by the Flathead National Forest and the Rocky Mountain Research Station. On the northern edge of the fire, bulldozers have constructed direct and indirect fire line. Steep terrain soon will become too dangerous to proceed with bulldozers. As hand crews complete fire lines along the western edge, they will pick up where the dozers left off and continue line construction to the east. Along the Emery Creek Road, engines were extinguishing hot spots on both sides of the road. Heli-rappelers constructed a heli-spot near Hungry Horse Mountain. This heli-spot was constructed to gain access to the less accessible fire area on the eastern edge when resource finish the priority of community protection on the western flank..

Today, crews will continue direct line on the southern edge of the fire from the area shown on the map with 5% of containment. They will progress west and north extending further into the RNA in their progress to connect with the dozer lines on the northern edge. The bulldozers on the northern edge of the fire will be scouting ridges access and secondary fire lines.  Air resources will continue to drop water on the eastern edge of the fire to slow its progression and assist ground crews to cool the fires edge. Structure protection assessments continue. The efforts are not only increasing awareness of the community for the Ridge Fire but will provide guidance to local agencies in case of future evacuations needs.    

WEATHER:  Today’s weather is forecast to be mostly sunny with a maximum temperature of 85 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 20% at lower elevations, with winds being light and terrain driven.

CLOSURES:  The Hungry Horse Reservoir is closed to all public access, including both the east and west side roads. As firefighting efforts continue on the Ridge Fire, the Tin Soldier Complex, and other fires in the area, the closure is in place to provide for public and firefighter safety. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/flathead/alerts-notices/?aid=82283

PRE-EVACUATION NOTICE:  The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has issued a pre-evacuation notice from the east side of Spotted Bear Road to West Glacier. https://www.facebook.com/flatheadsheriff

EMERGENCY SHELTER:  The American Red Cross has identified the following location as an emergency shelter for residents affected by the Ridge Fire. Those who plan to use the emergency shelter are asked to call 1-800-733-2767 prior to your arrival.

Columbia Falls Junior High School
1805 Talbot Road
Columbia Falls, MT

https://www.facebook.com/FlatheadOES

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Residents should stay alert for changing conditions and visit ready.gov/wildfires for preparing for wildfires. Please refer to http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-tin-soldier-complex for the Tin Soldier Complex incident information.