InciWeb
Wildfire
Prescribed Fire
Burned Area
Response
Other
The East Fork Fire began on July 30, 2023 from a lightning storm. The fire is located approximately 12 miles south of Trego, Montana. It is burning on the Ksanka/Fortine Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest. On August 18th, the fire also began burning into the Talley Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. The Flathead National Forest and Kootenai National Forest are the two main cooperating agencies on the East Fork Fire.
| Current as of | Sun, 09/17/2023 - 23:12 |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | 12 Miles south of Trego, MT. |
| Incident Commander | Kootenai Type 4 Team; Edwin Farrand & James Dunn |
| Incident Description | The East Fork Fire originated on the Fortine Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest. Currently, the fire is being managed by the local Kootenai unit, Incident Commander Edwin Farrand. |
| Coordinates |
48° 31' 47.2188'' Latitude
-114° 51' 17.1
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 211 |
|---|---|
| Size | 5,259 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 75% |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (litter and understory) Mixed conifer forest dominated by Douglas Fir (DF), Lodge Pole Pile (LPP), Western Larch (WL), Sub Alpine Fir (SAF), and Englemann Spruce (ES). All age and size classes of conifer fuels represented with relatively high crown bulk density and low crown base heights. Moderate to heavy amounts of dead fuels within the mature stands of SAF/ES. Light amount of dead surface fuels within plantations and immature, post-and pole stands. Herbaceous and live woody fuels are only partially cured and will not significantly contribute to surface fire spread. |
| Significant Events | Minimal creeping and smoldering. Fire activity is minimal. Observed fire behavior is limited to creeping and smoldering but due to increased dry weather, more smoke is expected to be visible. Fire activity poses very little threat to containment lines. Live fuels are not currently contributing to fire behavior or potential. No significant smoke is expected to be visible. |
| Planned Actions |
Mop-up and patrol will continue across the fire. Crews will continue removing unnecessary equipment from the fire. Suppression Repair- Unnecessary equipment from other areas of the fire will be utilized to improve damaged road surfaces to pre-fire conditions. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity |
Expected fire behavior will be creeping and smoldering. Dead fuel moistures remain elevated above values that support active fire behavior. Overnight humidity will aid in keeping fuel conditions below values that support fire growth.
|
| Remarks |
Command of the East Fork Fire was successfully transferred back to the local Kootenai Type 4 Team and Incident Commander Edwin Farrand. The closure order for roads in the vicinity of the fire will remain in place. This will be the last update for the East Fork Fire unless significant activity occurs. |