Single Publication

NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 6 

INCIDENT COMMANDER: Paul Roose

East Fork Fire

Kootenai National Forest/Flathead National Forest

Fire Information   406-285-8634   Eastforkfireinfo@gmail.com

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information//mtknf-east-fork-fire

August 24, 2023

Location: 12 miles south of Trego, MT

Start Date: 7/30/2023            Cause: Lightning       Size: 4,614 acres*             Containment: 5%

Total Personnel: 530                        Engines: 16                Hand Crews: 11 

Yesterday’s Events: Operations on Tuesday, August 23, focused on taking advantage of the weather and the pause in fire activity to put containment lines as close to the fire as possible given terrain and vegetation. In areas with better access, heavy equipment was able to widen roadways to serve as containment and contingency lines. Hand crews made good progress in more rugged areas. Trees weakened by the fire and rain are a primary concern as they can pose a safety risk. Sawyers took their time felling trees deemed to be hazards as part of the mop up efforts. Night operations continued to move logs and brush cut during the day shift. This will be an ongoing operation. An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), a drone, as well as helicopters were able to conduct reconnaissance flights to help firefighters identify priority areas and containment line possibilities.

Plans for Today: The recent rain has helped calm fire activity in the region and resources previously committed to other fires are coming available. A second 20-person hot shot crew arrives today and will begin constructing line adjacent to the fire. The hot shot crews will work in some of the most challenging terrain, such as the Martin Creek drainage. Additional hand crews should be on the way. Tree felling and mop of activities will continue, especially on the western side or “heel” of the fire. Crews will attempt back burning operations to help strengthen containment lines. Structure protection work has been completed and these resources will shift to help with the south side of the fire. While the rain saturated the fuels/soils in the plantations (new growth areas), significant rainfall did not reach the ground in old growth areas. Firefighters will be monitoring changing conditions and watching for increasing fire activity as the vegetation dries and the weather warms this week.

Evacuations: Some communities remain in a Pre-Evacuation Warning.  Residents may return to their homes under a Pre-Evacuation Warning, but may need to leave again on short notice. For more information, go to the Sheriff’s Department website.

Public Meetings: No public meetings are scheduled at this time, but fire personnel will be available to answer questions at the farmer’s market in Trego this afternoon.

*Updated acreage information was not available. Heavy smoke has prevented an IR flight for the past few days.