Dry Cabin Fire Update: August 11

Quick Facts:

• Location: 20 miles north of Ovando, MT, in the Lolo National Forest 
• Detected: July 11, 2021
• Cause: Lightning
• Legal Description: T18N, R11W, Sec. 36 (PB51) Lat/Long: Lat. 47.278, Long. 112.956
• Current size: 3,060 acres estimated from aerial reconnaissance
• Containment: 0%
• Ownership/Jurisdiction: Flathead National Forest and Lolo National Forest
• Other cooperators: Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest

Fire Summary:

The Dry Cabin Fire is located within the Scapegoat Wilderness areas on the Lolo National Forest. Local resources are conducting fire actions with the safety of fire personnel and the public as the number one priority. Fire personnel will capitalize on the 40-year fire activity in the wilderness to aid in their confine and contain strategy.  They will also utilize point protection to threatened wilderness cabins and bridges.  The fire is burning timber and brush in steep, rugged terrain. Smoke may be visible from Hwy 200 and surrounding areas. This event will likely extend well into October with continued growth.   Fires in this area have a history of high intensity crown runs after long periods of low fire behavior.  

Current Situation:

The fire is currently burning in the vicinity of the Upper Dry Fork and Cabin Creek drainages. On Tuesday, the Seeley Lake Wilderness Crew completed the remaining structure protection actions for the North Fork Cabin.  The Danaher cabin is currently staffed with three fire personnel from the Spotted Bear Ranger District to provide structure protection actions and a lookout near the fire.  Fire behavior continues to be creeping and smoldering.  Little growth is anticipated until things dry out or a major weather event affects impacts the fire area.  Higher temperatures mid-week are anticipated to dry out fuels.   

Area and Trail Closures:

For public safety, area closures are in place. Lolo National Forest Dry Fork area: affected closed trails include Dry Fork and upper Dry Fork #31 (all segments) at North Fork Cabin, Whiskey Cutoff #369, Cabin Creek #80, and Dwight Creek #414 and Canyon Creek #16 at the wilderness boundary. The main North Fork Trail #32 is OPEN, but #377 Sarbo Creek and the upper portions of Hobnail Tom #32.2 and Evans Peak #361 are CLOSED. Flathead National Forest Danaher area: affected closed trails include the Eastside South Fork Trail #126 from junction with Rapid Creek #142 south to boundary with Lolo National Forest, including connecting trails Alloy Creek #265, Calf Creek #277, Spring Creek #144, Bar Creek #140, Limestone Pass #143, Blackfoot Divide #278.  Alternate routes include Stadler Pass to Benchmark, Jenny Creek/Youngs Pass to Lodgepole TH, and Youngs Creek via Pyramid Pass to Pyramid TH.

General Information:

Many secondary trails are not cleared due to heavy blowdown, contact local offices for trail updates. Exercise caution traveling in the backcountry; pay attention to fire activity, wind and weather, especially in the afternoons when fire activity is highest. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex is in Stage 1 fire restrictions. Please visit www.MTFireInfo.org for fire restriction information. Information for this incident will be updated Mon, Wed, and Fri. Posting at Info Boards will occur as personnel are available. Please visit the Incident Information System (InciWeb) for the most up to date information https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7660/.

Trail Condition Contact Information
Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Ranger Districts

Flathead National Forest

Hungry Horse/ Glacier View Ranger District (406) 387-3800

Spotted Bear Ranger District (406) 758-5376

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Rocky Mountain Ranger District (406) 466-5341

Lincoln Ranger District (406) 362-7000

Lolo National Forest

Seeley Lake Ranger District (406) 677-2233