Single Publication

Cool, Wet Weather Limits Fire Activity on

the Ridge, Doris Point, and Tin Soldier Fires

August 30, 2023 Daily Update

 Ridge Fire

 Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse

 Size: 3665 acres

 Percent Contained: 76%

 Cause: Lightning

 Start Date: July 30th, 2023 @ 3:45 PM

 Personnel Assigned: 345

Doris Point Fire

 Location: 8 miles south of Hungry Horse

 Size: 1606 acres

 Percent Completed: 83%

 Cause: Lightning

 Start Date: July 30th, 2023 @ 3:45 PM

 Personnel Assigned: 42

Tin Soldier Fires

 Location: 17 miles east of Swan Lake

 Size: 8165 acres

 Percent Completed: 86%

 Cause: Lightning

 Start Date: July 30th, 2023 @ 3:45 PM

 Personnel Assigned: 80

Highlights:

Weather in the fire areas has changed significantly with the arrival of a strong cold front yesterday evening. Much cooler temperatures and rain are significantly limiting fire activity. Temporary flight restrictions have been lifted in the fire areas.

Operations:

Ridge Fire:

Firefighters worked on suppression repair including the construction of water bars on contingency lines west of the Ridge Fire. Water bars divert water drainage and reduce the likelihood of erosion. Crews worked on additional repair work near drop points on the west and north sides of the fire.

Doris Point Fire:  

Fire personnel observed three areas of smoke on the west side of the Doris Point Fire yesterday. The smoke was in areas surrounded by previously burned fuels and were not expected to spread. Structure protection remains in the Lost Johnny Point area.

Tin Soldier Fire:  

Resources observed smoke in the northeast and southeast corners of the Bruce fire yesterday. Mechanical thinning and repair work is almost complete along the road north of Spotted Bear. One small section of thinning will need to be completed by hand. Firefighting equipment is being collected and inventoried for removal from the area. Structure protection remains in place at Spotted Bear Ranger Station and private properties in that area.

Weather and Fire Behavior:
A low pressure system over the region will result in steady rain and significantly cooler temperatures today and through tonight. The fires should experience a total of 0.75 to 1.5 inches of rain by Thursday morning. A weak ridge of high pressure starts to build back over the region on Thursday allowing for warming and drying. No fire movement or growth is expected.

Ridge, Doris Point, and Tin Soldier Fires: 53-58° in the lower elevations and 44-49° in the mid-slopes to ridges with minimum relative humidity at 80-95%. Winds on the Ridge and Doris Point Fires will be southwest 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. On the Tin Soldier Fires winds will be southwest 5-10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

Fire Closure:

The Hungry Horse Reservoir is closed to all public access, including both the east and west side roads. The Forest Closure Order that includes the Heinrude Community remains in effect. As firefighting efforts continue on the Ridge Fire, Doris Point Fire, and Tin Soldier Fire the closure is in place to provide for public and firefighter safety. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/flathead/alerts-notices/?aid=82283

Additional Information:

Residents should stay alert for changing conditions and visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires for preparing for wildfires. Information for the Ridge, Doris Point, and Tin Soldier Complex Fires is found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-ridge-fire.

Fire Information: 406-998-6074 (8:00 am to 7:00 pm)                                                    

Email: 2023.ridge@firenet.gov

https://www.facebook.com/ridge.fire.information                              https://www.youtube.com/@2023ridgefire