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

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

August 4, 2023

Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse, MT

Start Date: 7/30/23      Cause: Lightning       Size: 1576 acres       Containment: 0%.

Total Personnel: 90    Dozers: 2    Hand Crews: 3    Water Tenders: 2

KEY MESSAGE  

To provide for public and firefighter safety, FS Road 38 (East Side Road) is closed to all public traffic at the junction of FS Road 497 (Desert Mountain Road) and FS Road 38. Mandatory Evacuation Notice is in effect for all public traffic east of junction of FS Road 38 and FS Road 497.

CURRENT SITUATION

Active fire behavior on the southeast corner and it crossed FS Road 38 and the Emery Creek drainage. An overnight infrared flight determined the acreage at 1576 acres, an increase of 943 acres. Yesterday, there was minimal fire growth on the west side of the fire towards the private properties and communities. Additional fire personnel and equipment have been arriving and are being integrated into fire operations.

Yesterday, crews were working to create a fuel break on FS Road 38. Helicopters provided water bucket drops over the fire area from impacting critical infrastructure such as private property and FS Road 38. Heavy equipment was utilized to create a fuel break on the west side of the fire to limit fire spread onto private property, Coram and Martin City.

Today, resources will continue prioritizing firefighting efforts on the west side of the fire. Hand crews are working on creating a fuel break along FS Road 38. Heavy equipment are implementing a fuel break on the west side of the fire to protect private property and the communities of Coram and Martin City. This is a full suppression fire and firefighter and public safety is the top priority. Aerial resources will be utilized as needed to prevent fire from negatively impacting firelines and values at risk.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Hot and dry conditions are expected to remain today with light winds (10 mph). Thunderstorms and   precipitation is expected to arrive Friday night which may produce gusty winds up to 30 mph. This could cause fire behavior to shift to the west. The fire is actively burning on all sides in steep terrain with heavy dead and down fuels and mostly move south and east. Smoke is visible from locations along Highway 2 mainly between Columbia Falls and West Glacier.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

The Flathead National Forest implemented an area closure for the area impacted from the Ridge Fire. Please visit Inciweb for more information.