Single Publication

NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 9    INCIDENT COMMANDER: SHANE MARTIN

Ridge Fire

Flathead National Forest, Hungry Horse Ranger District

Fire Information 406-998-6074  2023.ridge@firenet.gov

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-ridge-fire

August 7, 2023

Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse, MT

Start Date: 7/30/23      Cause: Lightning       Size: 2,773 acres       Containment: 0%.

Total Personnel: 177    Engines: 6    Dozers: 3    Hand Crews: 4    Water Tenders: 4

KEY MESSAGE  

There will be a Public Meeting today, August 7th, at 7:00 PM at the Glacier Bible Camp (400 5th St W) in Hungry Horse, MT. To provide for public and firefighter safety, FS Road #38 (East Side Road #38) is closed to all public traffic east of the junction of FS Road #497 (Desert Mountain Road) and East Side Road #38. Currently, FS Road #895 (West Side South Fork Road #895) is closed to all public traffic starting at mile 15, near the Lid Creek Campground. West Side South Fork Road #895 will be closed starting tomorrow, August 8th, from the Hungry Horse Dam Visitor Center to the existing closure at mile 15, near the Lid Creek Campground. Pre-evacuation notice in effect for private property along SF Abbot Creek on the west side of the fire.

CURRENT SITUATION

Current acreage is at 2,773 acres, an increase of 189 acres. Indirect (away from the fire) suppression efforts are prioritized on the west side of the fire to protect critical infrastructure and private property. This is a full suppression fire and firefighter and public safety is the top priority.

Yesterday, heavy equipment continued constructing the fuel break on the west side of the fire along the Hard Money Road between private property and Forest Service land. Hand crews and a masticator continued work on the fuel break along the East Side Road #38, near the southern edge of the fire. Structure protection assessments and coordination was being conducted for private property in Coram and Martin City.

Today, heavy equipment, including masticators, dozers, and skidders, will continue implementing the fuel break near the Hard Money Road to decrease potential fire intensity should the fire reach private property to the west. Hand crews and a masticator will continue work on the fuel break on East Side Road #38 to prevent potential impacts to East Side Road #38. Structure protection assessments and coordination will continue for private property in Martin City, Coram and Hungry Horse.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Showers and thunderstorms possible this afternoon with increased humidities. Winds are expected to shift from the east to the west, with the potential to increase fire activity on the east side of the fire. Fire behavior was low to moderate yesterday due to cooler weather and higher humidities.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

 An area closure is in effect due to the Ridge Fire. This closure area will expand tomorrow, August 8th. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect over the fire area. Residents should stay alert for changing conditions and visit ready.gov/wildfires for preparing for wildfires. For up-to-date information on the Ridge Fire, please visit Inciweb and follow the Flathead National Forest Facebook page.