Single Publication

Location: 12 miles south of Trego, Montana          Information Line: 406-285-8634 

Start Date: 7/30/2023       Cause: Lightning       Size: 5162 acres       Containment: 35%  

Total Personnel: 546       Engines: 9     Helicopters: 2       Hand Crews: 10  

CURRENT STATUS 

Crews searched for hot spots in the fire and mopped up residual heat along the fire’s perimeter.  Areas where firefighters were previously finding pockets of hot ash are now often muddy and cooler due to the wetting rain last week in the fire area. In the Advent Creek area, there is still active smoke and firefighters mopped-up the smoldering fuels in the forest’s understory.  Ground crews continued to construct hand line on the north and south edges of the fire.  

PLANNED ACTION  

On the east side of the fire, crews will begin chipping operations. Chipping trees, branches, and other large fuels will reduce the fire hazard potential in these areas.  Crews will also repair roads on the west side of the fire and finish the construction of handline on the fire’s north and south perimeter. Throughout the fire area, crews will patrol the fire’s edge, search for areas with remaining heat, and mop-up any residual heat found.  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Cooling temperatures and moisture are likely in the fire area early this week and humidity levels will rise into the 40s. Temperatures are expected to be in the 70s in the coming days with fairly consistent cloud cover.  Temperatures may begin to rise again on Tuesday. The majority of the fire’s activity is located in the Advent Creek and Martin Creek areas, however, the visible smoke in this area is due to large dead and downed fuels smoldering deep in the fire’s interior.  

CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS 

There are still Road and area closures in place in both the Kootenai and Flathead National Forests around the East Fork Fire. See the Forest Facebook pages and Inciweb for the most current updates and maps. 

SPECIAL MESSAGES 

As the holiday weekend progresses, be sure to watch for fire traffic. Firefighters are still hard at work even though the fire itself may not be showing obvious signs of activity. Heavy equipment is still active on the roads south of Trego in the closure area, and the roads remain closed for public and firefighter safety.