Incident Publication

    

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Drew Daily, Incident Commander

Sunday, July 25, 2021 
   

Contact Information

Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8AM - 8PM

Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/

Facebook: @WestLoloComplex

Twitter: twitter.com/LoloNF

Email: 2021.westlolo@firenet.gov

YouTube: West Lolo Complex YouTube
 

There will be a Community Meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at Ainsworth Park in Thompson Falls. The meeting will be recorded and available for viewing on the West Lolo Complex Facebook and YouTube sites.

 

Evacuations: Today the Sanders County Sheriff's Office is ordering evacuations for all residences on the east side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and Graves South areas. The areas under this evacuation order are described as “from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane.” Residents in these areas will be notified by deputies traveling door-to-door. Security measures are in place to protect private property.

 

Operations: Firefighting crews continue to construct indirect control lines utilizing heavy equipment task forces and are constantly monitoring fire behavior and movement. Hoses, pumps, and water handling equipment are in place on the fireline and around structures and are ready to be charged and deployed as needed. Fire crews are prepared to coordinate with air resources for aerial ignition operations from Winniemuck Creek to Squaw Creek.

Due to the limited number of resources available for fire suppression regionally and nationally, fire managers are sharing resources between incidents and even between divisions. Some firefighters in Div Zulu will move south to reposition in Div November after they finish prepping lines to Weber Gulch Trailhead. A swing shift of crews has been added to the plan and they will be in briefed this afternoon for their mission tonight.

 

Expect to see more smoke as indirect, burnout tactics are implemented today and into the coming week. Burnout operations, like all fire suppression activities, involve high risk. Fire managers weigh these risks very carefully with firefighter and public safety always at the forefront their critical decisions. As the Thorne Creek Fire is burning in rocky, steep terrain, with heavy downed timber, it is currently inaccessible to firefighters for direct engagement, and it is much safer to continue indirect tactics.

 

Weather: Mostly sunny skies, very hot and smoky today with temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s near the ridgetops, mid-80s to 90s at mid and lower slopes, and close to 100 degrees at the command post. Relative humidity around 10-20%. West-southwest winds 8-13 mph gusting to 15-25 mph at the ridgetops. Expect elevated fire conditions.

 

Closures and Additional Information:

ü  STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit www.mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.

ü  Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WestMontana

ü  Know before you go! Area, road, and trail closures are issued for areas impacted by fire on the Lolo National Forest. Closure information can be found at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/

ü  Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the Thorne Creek Fire. If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org

ü  Sanders County Sheriff’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sanders-County-Montana-Sheriffs-Office-1410792339177631

ü  Sanders County Wildland Fire Information Facebook: @SCWildlandFireMT

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Drew Daily, Incident Commander

Sunday, July 25, 2021 

Contact Information

Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8AM - 8PM

Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/

Facebook: @WestLoloComplex

Twitter: twitter.com/LoloNF

Email: 2021.westlolo@firenet.gov

YouTube: West Lolo Complex YouTube

Evacuations: New pre-evacuation warnings are in effect today for the Harlow and Ashley areas. Please refer to the map for locations. The areas under evacuation order are described as “residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane, on the east side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South.” Sanders County Sheriff's deputies travelled door-to-door yesterday making notifications and security measures are in place to protect private property. The team is coordinating closely with local agencies with the goal of returning residents home as soon as it is safe to do so.

Operations: Firefighting crews have established an anchor point at Graves Creek. This advantageous location is a barrier to fire spread where they will continue building and securing fireline. The anchor point is used to minimize the chance of being flanked by the fire while the line is being constructed. Air resources, in the form of helicopters dropping buckets of water, will be utilized as necessary to support firefighting on the ground. It is important for the public to understand that without “boots on the ground” to guide aircraft and follow up with hand and tool work, dropping water or retardant is not effective, as it will just dry up.

Operations will continue with the planned firing operations utilizing aerial ignitions with the plastic sphere dispenser (PSD) from Thorne Creek to Squaw Creek. Firefighters are prepared to receive, cool, hold and mop up the fire as it is brought downslope in a slow, controlled manner. This is the most effective means to try to control the fire and mitigate risk to firefighters, the public and private property given the current situation.

Weather: Partly cloudy, very hot and smoky again today with temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s near the ridgetops, mid-80s to 90s at mid and lower slopes, and close to 100 degrees in Plains and Thompson Falls. Relative humidity around 9-22%. West-southwest winds 8-14 mph gusting to 15-25 mph at the ridgetops. Expect elevated fire conditions.

Closures and Additional Information:

• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit www.mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.

• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WestMontana

• Know before you go! Area, road, and trail closures are issued for areas impacted by fire on the Lolo National Forest. Closure information can be found at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/

• Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the Thorne Creek Fire. If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org

• Sanders County Sheriff’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sanders-County-Montana-Sheriffs-Office-1410792339177631

• Sanders County Wildland Fire Information Facebook: @SCWildlandFireMT

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)
Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest
Drew Daily, Incident Commander
Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Contact Information

• Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8AM - 8PM
• Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/
• Facebook: @WestLoloComplex
• Twitter: twitter.com/LoloNF
• Email: 2021.westlolo@firenet.gov
• YouTube: West Lolo Complex YouTube

Thorne Creek Fire Statistics

• Location: 5 miles NE of Thompson Falls
• Date of Origin: 7/7/2021
• Cause: Lightning
• Acres: 8,490
• Containment: 0%
• Injuries: 3

Resources

• Crews: 0
• Dozers: 4
• Engines: 9
• Skidgens: 5
• Helicopters: 4
• Feller Bunchers: 3
• Personnel: 162
• Water Tenders: 4

Evacuations:

Pre-Evac/Warning: residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane, on the WEST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South and on the NORTHEAST side of the power lines in Ashley.

Evac Order:residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane, on the EAST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South and on the EAST side of the power lines in Harlow. The team is coordinating closely with local agencies with the goal of returning residents home as soon as it is safe to do so.

Operations:

The Structure Protection Group has been working with the local fire departments and Sanders County to identify and assess all residences and buildings in and near the fire area. No structures have been lost and the team continues to provide guidance and mapping to cooperators regarding local response and structure protection.

Firefighters are prepping and reinforcing indirect control lines along Sundance Ridge and Thompson River Road in Division E/J utilizing a heavy equipment task force. Hoselays, pumps and sprinklers are in place in the Snyder and Liver Gulch areas. More resources have been moved into Division N to complete prep work and hoselays on indirect control lines from Weber Gulch Trailhead to Thompson River Road for future firing operations. In Division Zulu, day and night crews are prepared to receive, hold, and suppress fire as it slowly moves toward them in response to aerial ignitions from Thorne Creek to Squaw Creek. Alternate line construction is continuing from Cougar Peak to Graves Creek Road utilizing dozers, skidgens and other heavy equipment. The overall strategy is to provide for firefighter and public safety, leave the smallest possible footprint on the landscape, and minimize smoke and resource impacts.

Weather:

There is a slight chance of rain showers and storms today. The main hazards would be strong, erratic outflow winds and an occasional lightning strike. Partly cloudy, very hot and smoky again with temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s near the ridgetops, mid-80s to 90s at mid and lower slopes, and close to 100 degrees in Plains and Thompson Falls. Relative humidity around 12-26%. West-southwest winds 7-12 mph gusting to 12-18 mph at the ridgetops.

Closures and Additional Information:

• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.
• Forest closure information can be found at nwcg.gov/incident/7620/ under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at airfire.org/outlooks/WestMontana
• Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the Thorne Creek Fire. If you fly, we can’t! Visit org
• Sanders County Sheriff’s Facebook: facebook.com/Sanders-County-Montana-Sheriffs-Office-1410792339177631
• Sanders County Wildland Fire Information Facebook: @SCWildlandFireMT

View this full outlook on-line with graphics at the Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program West Montana Smoke Forecast Outlooks (airfire.org)

Smoke Outlook for 7/28 - 7/29

West Montana West Lolo/Stateline Complexes
Issued at: 2021-07-28 06:50 MDT

Full Size Image

Special Statement

Numerous fires burning in Western Montana and Idaho Panhandle have been grouped into two complexes. The Stateline Complex consists of numerous fires burning on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, the two largest being the Dolly Creek and Tumbledown Fires. The West Lolo Complex consists now of only the Thorne Creek Fire.

Fire

Expect moderate to active fire behavior across both complexes. Mostly to partly cloudy today, hot and sunny tomorrow. Chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms. Minimal moisture expected. Fire activity will likely pick up later in the afternoon as the inversions break. Stay alert to changing conditions.

Smoke

We will continue to see areas of unhealthy Air Quality throughout the day. Air quality may improve slightly tomorrow due to more mixing. Larger fires burning to our west are contributing high level smoke to our forecast area.

SmokeReady?

Check out " https://montanawildfiresmoke.org" for information on what you can do to protect your health during wildfire season.

Stations Air Quality Forecasts

Issued 2021-07-28 06:50 MDT by Jenny Perth, ARA (jenny.perth@usda.gov)

Disclaimer: This forecast is based on fine particulates only; ozone is not included. Forecasts may be wrong; use at own risk. Use caution as conditions can change quickly. See your health professional as needed. Smoke sensitive groups should take appropriate precautions.

• Thompson Falls:
  • Tuesday 7/27 (observed): Yellow/Moderate on average, with red/unhealthy after noon, decreasing to Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) by mid-afternoon and yellow/moderate by evening.
  • Forecast Wednesday 7/28: Starting out with yellow/moderate conditions moving into Orange/USG conditions with periods of red/unhealthy in the later afternoon.
  • Forecast Thursday 7/29: Average air quality: Yellow/Moderate.
• Plains:
• Tuesday 7/27 (observed): Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on average, with late evening/night red/unhealthy and early evening yellow/moderate.
• Forecast Wednesday 7/28: Orange/USG conditions expected with periods of red/unhealthy
• Forecast Thursday 7/29: Average air quality: Orange/USG.
• St. Regis:
• Tuesday 7/27 (observed): Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange/USG) on average. No hourly data.
• Forecast Wednesday 7/28: Orange/USG conditions expected with periods of red/unhealthy
• Forecast Thursday 7/29: Average air quality: Orange/USG.
• Superior:
• Tuesday 7/27 (observed): Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on average with red/unhealthy for several hours around noon, and yellow/moderate from mid-afternoon to evening.
• Forecast Wednesday 7/28: Orange/USG conditions expected with periods of red/unhealthy
• Forecast Thursday 7/29: Average air quality: Orange/USG.
• Calder, Idaho:
• Tuesday 7/27 (observed): Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on average. No hourly data.
• Forecast Wednesday 7/28: Overall yellow/moderate conditions expected with periods of Orange/USG.
• Forecast Thursday 7/29: Overall yellow/moderate.
• Avery, Idaho:
• Tuesday 7/27 (observed): Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on average. No hourly data.
• Forecast Wednesday 7/28: Overall yellow/moderate expected with periods up to red/unhealthy.
• Forecast Thursday 7/29: Overall yellow/moderate.

Air Quality Index Key:

• Air Quality Index (AQI) = Green/Good; Actions to protect yourself: None
• AQI = Yellow/Moderate; Actions: Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion.
• AQI = Orange/USG (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups); Actions: People within Sensitive Groups* should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
• AQI = Red/Unhealthy People within Sensitive Groups* should avoid all physical outdoor activity.
• AQI = Purple/Very Unhealthy; Actions: Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
• AQI = Maroon/Hazardous; Actions: Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity.

Additional Links

• Montana DEQ Air Quality Info | https://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/SmokemostRecentUpdate.aspx
• Montana Wildfire Smoke Ready info | https://www.montanawildfiresmoke.org/
• Idaho Smoke Blog | http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/

Issued by USFS Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program | www.wildlandfiresmoke.net

West Montana Current Outlook | tools.airfire.org/outlooks/WestMontana

Smoke and Health Info | www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.index

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)
Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest
Drew Daily, Incident Commander
Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Contact Information

• Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8AM - 8PM
• Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/
• Facebook: @WestLoloComplex
• Twitter: twitter.com/LoloNF
• Email: 2021.westlolo@firenet.gov
• YouTube: West Lolo Complex YouTube

Thorne Creek Fire Statistics

• Location: 5 miles NE of Thompson Falls
• Date of Origin: 7/7/2021
• Cause: Lightning
• Acres: 10,357
• Containment: 0%
• Injuries: 4

Resources

• Crews: 0
• Dozers: 2
• Engines: 10
• Skidgens: 2
• Helicopters: 4
• Feller Bunchers: 3
• Personnel: 153
• Water Tenders: 5

Summary:

Of the 66 large uncontained fires in the country, 35 are in the Northern Rockies region. A major challenge on the West Lolo Complex/Thorne Creek Fire is obtaining resources: personnel, crews, engines, and aircraft. This is because there are currently 38 Type 1 and Type 2 teams on fire assignments across the country. Our resource requests are taken into consideration, along with the current fire situation, threats to life and property, and requests from other teams. Thus, we may or may not have resources assigned that have been requested if there is a greater need elsewhere.

The overall management of the West Lolo Complex/Thorne Creek Fire revolves around monitoring fire progression and having both primary and alternate control lines in place for firing and holding operations. As always, firefighter and public safety is paramount. It is a full suppression fire and has been since Northern Rockies Team 1 was assigned to it on July 9. According to the plan, the Type 3 Plains/Thompson Falls Team continues scouting and reconnaissance for additional control features continues in an effort to limit fire spread and reduce the overall fire footprint. This fire is considered a long-term event due to its location in steep, rocky terrain with heavy downed trees that makes it difficult to access with heavy equipment and crews.

Evacuations:

• NEW Evac Order from the Sanders County Sheriff's Office: the NORTHEAST side of the power lines in Ashley have moved from Pre-Evac/Warning to Evac Order. 206 residences are now under evacuation orders. The team is coordinating closely with local agencies with the goal of returning residents home as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Evac Order: residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane, on the EAST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South and on the EAST side of the power lines in Harlow.
• Pre-Evac/Warning: residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane, on the WEST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South.

Operations:

A type 1 interagency hotshot crew is arriving today to assist with direct fire attack where it is safe to do so. They will work closely with air attack, a fixed-wing aircraft that performs aerial reconnaissance of the overall fire situation. The three helicopters assigned to this fire will be joined by two single engine air tankers (SEATs) and one large air tanker (LAT) to assist with dropping water and retardant where necessary and appropriate.

The Structure Protection Group continues to work with the local fire departments and Sanders County to identify and assess all residences and buildings in and near the fire area. No structures have been lost and the team continues to provide guidance and mapping to cooperators regarding local response.

Weather: Partly cloudy, very hot and smoky again with temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-80s near the ridgetops, mid-80s to 90s at mid and lower slopes, and close to 100 degrees in Plains and Thompson Falls. There is a slight chance of rain showers and storms with the threat of gusty and erratic winds and an occasional lightning strike. Relative humidity around 12-26%. West-southwest winds 7-12 mph gusting to 12-18 mph at the ridgetops.

Closures and Additional Information:

• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit www.mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.
• Forest closure information can be found at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/ under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WestMontana
• Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the Thorne Creek Fire. If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org
• Sanders County Sheriff’s Facebook: facebook.com/Sanders-County-Montana-Sheriffs-Office-1410792339177631
• Sanders County Wildland Fire Information Facebook: @SCWildlandFireMT

Friday, July 30, 2021 Fire Update

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Drew Daily, Incident Commander

Contact Information

Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8AM - 8PM

Email: 2021.westlolo@firenet.gov

Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/

Twitter: @LoloNF

YouTube: West Lolo Complex YouTube

Fire Statistics

Location: 5 miles NE of Thompson Falls

Date of Origin: 7/7/2021

Cause: Lightning

Acres: 13,831

Containment: 0%

Injuries: 4

Resources

Crews: 2                        Dozers: 5

Engines: 10                   Skidgens: 3                      

Helicopters: 4               Feller Bunchers: 3              

Personnel: 225            Water Tenders: 7

There is a Community Meeting scheduled today, July 30 at

6 p.m. at Ainsworth Park, 200 Lincoln Street, Thompson Falls, MT. This is an outdoor setting where social distancing is encouraged.

Background:

Thunderstorms on July 7, 2021, started multiple wildfires across the Lolo National Forest. U.S. Forest Service personnel, in coordination with local cooperators and response partners actively engaged the fires. The western portion of the Forest, which includes the Superior and Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger Districts, experienced the most lightning activity. Plains/T-Falls Ranger District had 13 confirmed new fire starts and Superior Ranger District had 18 new fire starts. Resources were stretched very thin; it was difficult to get aircraft on initial attack and the fires were prioritized based on imminent threat to life and property. A cluster of multiple fires ranging from three to more than 1,000 acres made up the West Lolo Complex until most were contained and turned back to their local units. The Thorne Creek Fire remains at zero percent containment and is currently being managed by the local Plains/T-Falls Type 3 Team. This team is made up of many local fire personnel who live in the community. They have area knowledge, firm relationships, and are fully invested in the plan. An essential part of the long-term strategy has involved, and will continue to involve, collaboration with local cooperators and landowners. Team members have provided the community with structure assessments, educational materials, and mitigation messages. Sanders County Wildland Fire Information is a valuable resource for Firewise USA® tools to help residents reduce wildfire risk.

Yesterday: Two crews arrived to assist with direct fire attack. A hotshot crew worked on containing a 200-acre spot fire from the evening before, west of Graves Creek. The other 20-person crew worked on securing the primary containment line southeast of Graves Creek. A large air tanker (LAT) and two single engine air tankers (SEATs) were utilized, along with the three helicopters assigned to the fire, to slow the spotting over onto Squaw Creek Drainage. Both retardant and water were dropped in strategic areas to stall fire spread.

Today: In Division Zulu, the west flank of the fire, fire crews continue to hold and cool miles of fireline as they look forward to mop-up operations. On the north side of the fire (Division Charlie) the hotshot crew will move to swing shift and use direct suppression tactics with assistance from aircraft. Firefighters in the south (Division November) are completing a wet line with hoselays and pumps, preparing to receive fire. Hand and aerial ignitions will be utilized to moderate fire growth, intensity, and spotting potential around the fire perimeter. An order was placed for the Montana National Guard to provide logistical support and security in the fire area.

Weather: Mostly sunny and smoky with temperatures in the high-70s to mid-80s near the ridgetops, mid-80s to 90s at mid and lower slopes, and close to 100 degrees in Plains and Thompson Falls. Relative humidity around 19-24% in the upper slopes. Southwest winds 7-12 mph gusting to 12-18 mph will become westerly in the afternoon.

Evacuations:

~~Evac Order: residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane, on the EAST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South, on the EAST side of the power lines in Harlow, and on the NORTHEAST side of the power lines in Ashley.

~~Pre-Evac/Warning: residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and Riverview Lane, on the WEST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South.

The team is coordinating closely with local agencies with the goal of returning residents home as soon as it is safe to do so. Correction on yesterday’s update: 206 residents are under evacuation orders (146 total residences).

Closures and Additional Information:

• The Red Cross Disaster Action Team has opened a Temporary Evacuation Center/Shelter at the Thompson Falls Community Center for all evacuees. The 24/7 information line is (406) 827-9268.

• Information Sign Boards are located at Ainsworth Park, Harvest Foods, and Wild Goose Landing in T-Falls, and the U.S. Forest Service Ranger District in Plains. Local businesses are assisting with information dissemination by posting maps and updates and sharing information cards.

• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit www.mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.

• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.

• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WestMontana

• Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the Thorne Creek Fire. If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org

#WestLoloComplex #LoloNF #ThorneCreekFire

There will be a Community Meeting, Friday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at Ainsworth Park, 200 Lincoln Street, Thompson Falls. This is an outdoor setting where social distancing is encouraged. 

Contact Information 

Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8AM - 8PM 

Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/ 

Facebook: @WestLoloComplex 

Twitter: twitter.com/LoloNF 

Email: 2021.westlolo@firenet.gov 

YouTube: West Lolo Complex YouTube  

Thorne Creek Fire Statistics 

Location: 5 miles NE of Thompson Falls 

Date of Origin: 7/7/2021 

Cause: Lightning 

Acres: 15,860 

Containment: 0% 

Injuries: 4 

Resources 

Crews: 2                         Dozers: 5 

Engines: 14                    Skidgens: 5                        

Helicopters: 5               Feller Bunchers: 3                

Personnel: 261             Water Tenders: 8 

Summary: Northern Rockies Team 1 took command of the West Lolo Complex and the Granite Pass Complex this morning at 0530. The one fire remaining in the West Lolo Complex is the Thorne Creek Fire, burning in heavy timber on steep, rocky terrain. A full suppression strategy is in place with the use of indirect firing operations (both hand and aerial ignitions) as well as direct attack tactics where it is safe to do so. The Lolo National Forest and Northern Rockies Team 1 value human health and safety above all else. Other important incident objectives include clear communication; sound risk decision-making; minimizing impacts to local communities, private property, critical infrastructure, and water supplies; and strengthening relationships with community leaders, cooperators, local government, and private property owners.

Yesterday: Crews moved from Division Zulu toward Division November on the southwest edge of the fire, burning out areas to prevent the wildfire from spotting ahead of itself. In Divisions Echo/Juliet to the northeast, firefighters utilized the Spruce 2 Fire burn scar as a place to tie in dozer line. The structure protection group assisted the Sanders County Sheriff in fine tuning evacuation zones.

Today: Air and ground resources will be utilized in Division Charlie as crews progress to tie a solid line into the 2017 Deep Creek burn scar. A masticator is in use in Division E/J. This piece of machinery, operated by highly qualified firefighters, reduces the size of forest vegetation to help slow or stop fire. Indirect firing operations continue as appropriate to bring the fire down to primary control lines where firefighters can receive the fire, then suppress, cool, and hold it. Crews in Zulu (to the west) are holding the containment lines and mopping up.

Weather: Very hot, dry, and smoky today. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s near the ridgetops, 90s at mid and lower slopes, and over 100 degrees in Plains and Thompson Falls. Relative humidity in the teens. Ridgetop winds will be from the east at 5-10 mph, increasing to 8-12 mph with gusts to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Evacuations:  

• Evac Order: residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and River View Lane, on the EAST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South, on the EAST side of the power lines in Harlow, and on the NORTHEAST side of the power lines in Ashley. 

• Pre-Evac/Warning: residences from Cougar Creek south to the intersection of Blue Slide Road and Riverview Lane, on the WEST side of Blue Slide Road in Graves North and South.
  
  206 residents are under evacuation orders. The team is coordinating closely with local agencies with the goal of returning residents home as soon as it is safe to do so.
  
  Closures and Additional Information:
  

• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information. 

• Ready, Set, GO! wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov. 

• The Red Cross Disaster Action Team has opened a Temporary Evacuation Center/Shelter at the Thompson Falls Community Center for all evacuees. The 24/7 information line is (406) 827-9268. 

• Information Sign Boards are located at Ainsworth Park, Harvest Foods, and Wild Goose Landing in T-Falls, and the U.S. Forest Service Ranger District in Plains. Local businesses are assisting with information dissemination by posting maps and updates and sharing information cards.  

• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions. 

• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.  

• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WestMontana  

• Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the Thorne Creek Fire. If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org 

 

### 

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Temporary Flight Restriction on July 22, 2021 north of nearby Thompson Falls, Montana due to the West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire). The TFR is scheduled to end on September 22, 2021. The purpose of the TFR is to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. Please refer to the following website for more information:  Thorne Creek Fire Temporary Flight Restriction

  

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Lolo National Forest

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

Sunday, August 1, 2021

 

Contact Information

·         Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8AM - 8PM

·         Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7620/

·         Facebook: @WestLoloComplex

·         Twitter: twitter.com/LoloNF

·         Email: 2021.westlolo@firenet.gov

·         YouTube: West Lolo Complex YouTube

 

Thorne Creek Fire Statistics

·         Location: 5 miles NE of Thompson Falls

·         Date of Origin: 7/7/2021

·         Cause: Lightning

·         Acres: 17,865

·         Containment: 0%

·         Injuries: 4

 

Resources

·         Crews: 2                        

·         Engines: 14                   

·         Helicopters: 3              

·         Personnel: 213

·         Dozers: 2

·         Skidgens: 2                      

·         Feller Bunchers: 3              

·         Water Tenders: 8
 

 

Summary: The highest priority on the Thorne Creek Fire is to protect the safety of fire personnel and human life, followed by the protection of homes, private property, and critical infrastructure. Specific values at risk that are in the forefront include the Ashley Creek Municipal water supply, the Highway 200 corridor, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and rural electric transmission lines, Phillips 66 facilities, commercial timberlands, fish and wildlife habitats, recreational improvements, communication sites, businesses, and private property and structures.  

Yesterday: In Division Echo/Juliet (east flank) the masticator completed its mission and more heavy equipment was relocated to work on the West Fork Road that will be used as a contingency line. To the south in Division November, crews were borrowed from the Granite Pass Complex to help keep the fire in check as it reached established control lines. Indirect firing operations were used in Division Zulu to moderate behavior as the main body of the fire increased in intensity. Adverse winds caused the fire to send small spots over the line, but crews responded quickly and contained them. Firefighters worked extended shifts to monitor fire behavior and patrol for any additional spots. Hotshot crews in Division Charlie on the north flank held the containment lines from Graves Creek along Cougar Peak Road.

 

Today: Engines were added to the Structure Protection Group as response zone assessments and planning continues. Firefighters will utilize aircraft and retardant to reinforce the lines and cool the fire’s edge in Division Charlie as needed. Additional engines will be deployed to the south side of the fire in Division November to monitor fire behavior. Control lines are plumbed with hoselays, pumps and water sources to support fire operations if needed. Fire crews continue to face many hazards in the field today, including rain, outflow winds, and rolling debris.

 

Weather: Mostly cloudy, cooler weather today with periods of warming that may create gusty outflows winds and cause late day thunderstorms to develop. Localized heavy rain is possible. Southeast winds will shift to southwesterly late today and into the evening. Temperatures will be in the high-70s to low-80s near the upper slopes, mid to high-80s in the valleys. Relative humidity 24-35 percent. Ridgetop winds will be from the southeast at 6-12 mph, with gusts 15 to 20 mph.

 

Evacuations:

Evac Order: all residences EAST/NORTHEAST from Allen Ranch south on Blue Slide Road to the intersection of the BPA power lines, following the power lines through Ashley Creek to the Thompson River.

Pre-Evac/Warning: all residences to the WEST from Allen Ranch south along Blue Slide Road to the intersection of Highway 200, on the west side of the Clark Fork River.

 

The color-coded evacuation maps are located on InciWeb and Facebook. 206 residents are currently under evacuation orders. The team is coordinating closely with local law enforcement and emergency management officials with the goal of returning residents home as soon as it is safe to do so.

 

Closures and Additional Information:

·         Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information.

·         Ready, Set, GO! wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov.

·         The Red Cross Disaster Action Team has opened a Temporary Evacuation Center/Shelter at the Thompson Falls Community Center for all evacuees. The 24/7 information line is (406) 827-9268.

·         Information Sign Boards are located at Ainsworth Park, Harvest Foods, and Wild Goose Landing in Thompson Falls, and the U.S. Forest Service Ranger District in Plains. Local businesses are assisting with information dissemination by posting maps and updates and sharing information cards.

·         STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.

·         KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.

·         Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at fires.airfire.org

·         Temporary flight restrictions specific to Thorne Creek Fire: tfr.faa.gov

·         No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org