Single Publication

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

Start Date: 7/30/2023       Cause: Lightning       Size: 5,162 acres       Containment: 44%  

Total Personnel: 414      Engines: 8    Helicopters: 2       Hand Crews: 7  

CURRENT STATUS 

Crews completed hand line along the fire’s southern edge. Heavy equipment assisted with moving pumps and hose off the fire line where they were no longer needed. An unmanned aerial system (UAS), also referred to as a “drone,” flew over the eastern edge of the fire and identified hot spots. Once identified, crews accessed these areas to mop-up the areas of residual heat.  

PLANNED ACTION  

Mop-up and patrol of residual heat will continue along the edges of the fire. Firefighters and heavy equipment are implementing repair plans and improving damaged roads and surfaces to pre-fire conditions. The UAS will move to the northern perimeter of the fire today to continue identifying hot spots near the fire’s edge. One type 3 helicopter will remain available to assist crews on the ground as needed.  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

A few stray showers early yesterday dissipated quickly with rainfall across the incident ranging from just a few hundredths of an inch to higher amounts both north and south of the fire area. In areas where rain doesn’t penetrate the tree canopy, the precipitation is not enough to completely extinguish the fire’s creeping and smoldering in heavy fuels and the thick layers of duff (vegetative matter that covers the forest floor). Highs were into the lower 60s and humidity levels in the 45 to 55%, with southwest winds around 10 mph. There is a small chance of rain today and a slightly higher chance of precipitation on Friday that may produce thunderstorms.  Fire activity was minimal, with some creeping and smoldering. This fire behavior currently poses no threat to containment lines. 

AREA AND ROAD CLOSURES  

The Flathead National Forest rescinded its previously issued area closure order (#01-01-08-23-20) on September 2, 2023. The Kootenai National Forest-Fortine Ranger District and the Flathead National Forest-Tally Lake Ranger District have issued a new revised road closure order (#01-01-03-23-12), effective September 2, 2023. 

The closure order is in place to provide heavy equipment and suppression repair personnel unhindered access to areas of the East Fork fire. Work in the area includes road repair, cleaning slash and other debris out of ditches and culverts, and strategically moving logs and other downed trees to prevent erosion in burned areas.  

The roads in the area are narrow, and pullouts and turnarounds are too few for heavy traffic. Temporary closures are implemented during wildfire events to protect working firefighters and equipment operators. Once agency officials determine the area is safe, closure orders will be adjusted or rescinded.