Single Publication

Ridge, Doris Point, and Tin Solider Daily Fire Update for August 22, 2023

Email: 2023.ridge@firenet.gov
Incident Website:
Ridge Fire: http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incidentinformation/mtfnf-ridge-fire 
Tin Soldier: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incidentinformation/mtfnf-tin-soldier-complex

Ridge Fire

Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse
Size: 3651 acres
Percent Contained: 62%
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 30, 2023, 3:45 PM
Number of Personnel Assigned: 544

Doris Point Fire:
Location: 8 miles south of Hungry Horse
Size: 1534 acres
Percent Completion: 10%
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: 148
Fire Information: 406-998-6074
Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

CURRENT SITUATION:
Rain fell across the Ridge, Doris Point, and Tin Soldier Fires yesterday aiding firefighters by moderating the fire activity. A team transition is scheduled to transfer command of the fires from California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 to Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 tomorrow at 6:00 am.

Ridge Fire: Yesterday, crews on the western and northern area of the fire continued to address areas of heat, mop up, and back hauled excess equipment. Drop points in these areas were cleaned up and crews are preparing for more rain. On the northeastern edge, firefighters monitored yesterday’s spot fires and the control lines around them and worked areas of heat. Heavy equipment will be constructing indirect line through dense vegetation. To the southeast, mop up 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 if the weather and winds allow.

Doris Point Fire: Crews are maintaining confinement, and point protection strategy on the values at risk in coordination with the Flathead National Forest. Crews will continue fuels reduction, structural prep, setting up pumps, sprinklers, and wrapping structures and signs.

Tin Soldier Fire: Yesterday, crews held and secured Meadow Creek Road. Crews will maintain point protection strategy on the values at risk in coordination with the Flathead National Forest. Crews will continue fuels reduction and structural prep, setting up pumps, sprinklers, and wrapping structures and signs.

WEATHER:
Steady rain has ended but elevated moisture lingering across the area will result in the development of showers and thunderstorms at times today, especially this afternoon and evening. The unusually high moisture content will support heavy downpours with some showers and all thunderstorms that develop today. Brief heavy rainfall rates with storms today could pose a risk for mud/debris flows in drainages that saw high fire intensity.

Ridge & Doris Point: 72-77 degrees in the lower elevations and 66-71 degrees in the mid-slopes to ridges. 45-50% minimum relative humidity and winds east up 7 mph with gusts to around 18 mph on the ridgetop.

Tin Soldier: 69-74 degrees in the lower elevations and 63-67 degrees in the mid-slopes to ridges. 45-50% minimum relative humidity and winds east 4 to 9 mph with gusts around 18 mph on the ridgetop.

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.