Single Publication

Ridge, Doris Point, and Tin Solider Daily Fire Update for August 21, 2023

Fire Information: 406-998-6074
Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Email: 2023.ridge@firenet.gov
Incident Website: Ridge Fire: http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-ridge-fire
Tin Soldier: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-tin-soldier-complex

Ridge Fire:
Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse
Size: 3651 acres
Percent Contained: 39%
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 30, 2023, 3:45 PM
Number of Personnel Assigned: 596

Doris Point Fire:
Location: 8 miles south of Hungry Horse
Size: 1534 acres
Percent Completion: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 30, 2023, 3:45 PM
Number of Personnel Assigned: 15

Tin Soldier:
Location: 17 miles east of Swan Lake
Size: 7697 acres
Percent Completion: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 30, 2023, 3:45 PM
Number of Personnel Assigned: 132

CURRENT SITUATION:
Ridge Fire: Yesterday, crews on the western and northern area of the fire continued to mop up and back haul excess equipment. Drop points in these areas were cleaned up and crews prepared for rain. On the northeastern edge, firefighters contained a few spot fires and were able to get control lines around them. To the southeast, mop up also continued. Today, crews will continue mop up activities and install control lines where appropriate to prevent fire spread to the north and east. Aviation will be utilized today as weather and winds allow.

Doris Point Fire: Crews will continue to maintain confinement, and point protection strategy on the values at risk in coordination with the Flathead National Forest. Crews will continue fuels reduction and structural prep, as well as setting up pump sprinklers.

Tin Soldier Fire: Yesterday, crews mopped up an area where fire had crossed the Meadow Creek Road and there are currently no further issues in this area. Crews will continue to maintain point protection strategy on the values at risk in coordination with the Flathead National Forest. Crews will continue fuels reduction and structural prep, as well as setting up pump sprinklers.

WEATHER:
Deep moisture associated with the remnants of Hurricane Hilary will move across the Northern Rockies today, bringing widespread rain by this afternoon, which may be moderate to heavy at times late this afternoon into this evening. Rain looks to diminish Tuesday morning, but additional moisture circulating through the area will maintain some showers through Tuesday evening.

Ridge & Doris Point: 70-75 degrees in the lower elevations and 64-69 degrees in the mid-slopes to ridges. 46-51% minimum relative humidity and winds east up 7 mph with gusts to around 15 mph on the ridgetop.

Tin Soldier: 68-73 degrees in the lower elevations and 62-67 degrees in the mid-slopes to ridges. 46-51% minimum relative humidity and winds east 5 to 10mph with gusts around 18 mph on the ridgetop.

RIDGE & DORIS FIRE PRE-EVACUATION NOTICE:
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has issued a pre-evacuation notice from the east side of Spotted Bear Road to West Glacier. Visit the Flathead Sheriff’s office for details https://www.facebook.com/flatheadsheriff

EMERGENCY SHELTER:
The American Red Cross has identified the following location as an emergency shelter for residents affected by the Ridge Fire. Those who plan to use the emergency shelter are asked to call 1-800-733-2767 prior to your arrival.
Columbia Falls Junior High School 1805 Talbot Road Columbia Falls, MT https://www.facebook.com/FlatheadOES

TIN SOLDIER FIRE EVACUATIONS, CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS
An evacuation has been issued by the Flathead County Sheriff for Heinrude community. Visit the Flathead Sheriff’s office for details https://www.facebook.com/flatheadsheriff

FIRE CLOSURES:
The Hungry Horse Reservoir is closed to all public access, including both the east and west side roads. As firefighting efforts continue on the Ridge Fire, the Tin Soldier, and other fires in the area, 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 ready.gov/wildfires for preparing for wildfires. Please refer to http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-tin-soldier-complex for the Tin Soldier Complex Incident information