Single Publication

Fire Managers Support new fire start and utilize equipment from the Ridge, Doris Pt, and Tin Soldier Fires

September 2nd, 2023 Daily Update

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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: 226

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Location: 8 miles south of Hungry Horse

Size: 1606 acres

Percent Completed: 98%

Cause: Lightning

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

Personnel Assigned: 16

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Location: 17 miles east of Swan Lake

Size: 8165 acres

Percent Completed: 94%

Cause: Lightning

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

Personnel Assigned: 50

Highlights:

There was a small fire reported yesterday, located on the 2847 road, in between the Tin Soldier complex fires. The lighting started fire is called the Soldier Fire. It is a single tree that is being handled by the local forest engines. The Tin Soldier Complex fire managers are supporting the local unit with any equipment needs.

Operations:

Ridge and Doris Point Fires:

The areas on the Northeast side of the Ridge fire are drying out and becoming accessible for firefighters to complete the repair work on the existing handlines. The repair work and the backhaul of pumps and hose are close to completion. Doris Point Campground project work is nearing completion as well. The areas around the campground are being assessed to ensure there are no hazards left behind, including fire weakened trees, when that area is turned back over to the local unit.

Tin Soldier Fire:

Road grading will continue along FS RD 895 near the bridge over the South Fork Flathead River. Crews, with the assistance of an excavator, are finishing the repair of the fire and hand line along Meadow Creek. Additionally, firefighters continue to clean up tree debris from the mechanical thinning and log skidding project along roadways in the Meadow Creek area. Fire managers are working closely with the local resource advisors to make sure that the repair plan lines up with what works best for resources that were impacted in the suppression efforts. Smoldering fire activity is expected on the Bruce Fire with minimal smoke being seen from the area.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Today is expected to be sunny and warm. The warm weather will continue the drying trend and produce minimal smoke from the Bruce Fire.

Winds on the Ridge and Doris Point Fires will be southeast 5-10 mph. On the Tin Soldier Fires winds will be southeast 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

Fire Closure:

The Hungry Horse Reservoir closure order has been modified to allow access to the east road of the reservoir and on the west road down to the Doris Point Boat Launch. The lake is now open for recreation. The closure remains in place on the west side of the reservoir as firefighter presence remains. The Heinrude Community evacuation level has been lifted but residents but due to the forest closure, residents need to contact the Hungry Horse Ranger Station at (406) 387-3800 to arrange access to their properties.

For the most current information regarding evacuation status please visit https://flathead.mt.gov/.../emerge.../ridge-fire-information. 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/...

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.../mtfnf-ridge-fire.

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

?????: 2023.ridge@firenet.gov

https://www.facebook.com/ridge.fire.information

https://www.youtube.com/@2023ridgefire