InciWebSingle Publication
Could not determine your location.
Wildfire
Prescribed Fire
Burned Area
Response
Other
East Fork Fire Daily Update for September 1st
East Fork Fire
Publication Type: News 09/03/2023
Location: 12 miles south of Trego, Montana
Information Line: 406-285-8634
Start Date: 7/30/2023
Cause: Lightning
Size: 5162 acres
Containment: 30%
Total Personnel: 654
Engines: 15
Helicopters: 2
Hand Crews: 13
CURRENT STATUS
Northern Rockies Team 5, a Complex Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson, assumed command of the fire today at 6am. Due to heavy rains on Wednesday, roads remained inaccessible for heavy equipment to access many areas of the fire line. Hand crews patrolled the fire’s northern edge and monitored areas of heat. Overnight, heavy equipment removed trees cut along fire lines. An infrared flight flew over the fire and detected pockets of heat along the fire’s northeastern edge.
PLANNED ACTION
On the east side of the fire, crews will remove hazardous trees that pose a safety risk to crews working in the fire area. On the fire’s north and eastern edges, heavy equipment will work alongside hand crews both day and night to remove trees felled in the area during line construction. Aircraft will be available to assist crews on the ground of the East Fork Fire as well as to respond to any other fire starts within the range of the fire’s Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR).
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Eureka Ranger District reported the second highest amount of rain ever recorded in the area on Wednesday. This heavy rain increased fuel moisture levels and is slowing fire activity. The majority of the fire’s creeping and smoldering behavior remains in dead and downed timber. The fire shows little activity in old timber sale areas with younger 2nd and 3rd generation growth trees that contain limited dead and downed trees. Weather will warm slightly over the weekend however; fire weather activity is expected to remain at a minimum. A slight increase in smoke may be visible in the area. \
CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS
Lincoln and Flathead Counties have lifted all pre-evacuation orders. For more information, visit the Lincoln County and Flathead County Sheriff’s Department Facebook pages.
SPECIAL MESSAGES
Remember to drive slowly and remain alert while driving along Highway 93 and the surrounding area. With the holiday weekend fast approaching, increased recreational activity is expected, but fire traffic will not decrease. Right. Left. Check. Don’t get in a wreck.
