Single Publication

Total Acres: 660
Containment: 15%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 270  
 
Highlights: Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 210, 211, and 287 are now accessible to the public; however, please avoid unnecessary travel on Griffin Creek Road as there are still fire crews and heavy equipment working in the area. If you use the road, please drive slowly, and watch out for fire personnel.  

Operations: An initial fireline is complete around the perimeter of the fire including both handline and machine line. Crews will begin improving and securing the firelines and looking for contingency lines to construct utilizing the heavy equipment. Firefighters will continue to look for hot spots around the fire and identify areas where mop-up can begin. In places on the southern side, crews are mitigating hazard trees so firefighters, skidgens, and engines can safely access the fire's edge. Crews are laying hoses to use water to help mop up and cool the fire. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today, temperatures will be warmer at 70-75 degrees in the fire area, with 16-21% relative humidity. Winds will be southeast to south 6-8 with gusts to 12 mph. With this wind shift, the most significant area of concern will be on the northeast side, where intense heat remains. Single tree and small group tree torching will continue to occur in areas of heavy dead and down. Plantations of timber will still be areas of much-reduced fire behavior due to limited ground fuels and higher live fuel moisture.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area, including the use of drones. Remember, if you fly, we can't. 

Evacuations:  Currently, there are no evacuations; however, one property is under pre-evacuation notice.

Closures: Currently, there are no closures.

Smoke: Visit fire.airnow.gov/ for wildfire smoke information and deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/airquality for Montana Department of Environmental Quality air quality information.

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 406-272-4859| Email: 2022.lemonade@firenet.gov 

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8379/ | www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead | https://twitter.com/flatheadnf