Incident Publication

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Lolo National Forest

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

August 9, 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: 21,967
• Containment: 15%
• Injuries: 4

Resources

• Crews: 5                        
• Dozers: 4
• Engines: 19                    
• Skidgens: 5                      
• Helicopters: 4              
• Feller Bunchers: 2              
• Water Tenders: 11     
• Masticator: 2
• Personnel: 435     

Summary: Light rain and below average temperatures lead to minimal fire activity on Sunday. Backing fire, from firing operations completed prior to the weather change, continued moving down slope in Dry Gulch and the Ashley Creek drainage. Hand firing was utilized to tie the fire into Ashley Creek. Fire personnel worked to strengthen control lines by extinguishing heat along the edge of the fire perimeter which adds depth to established control lines north and east of Thompson Falls.

Yesterday: Firefighters continued patrolling the perimeter in Divisions Charlie and Zulu, including forty members of the Montana National Guard and Montana Air Guard who spent the day gridding areas along the established control.  In Division November, crews spent the morning monitoring fire activity and conducting mop up. In the afternoon, they took advantage of lower humidity levels and initiated hand firing operations to clean up the fire’s edge along Ashley Creek Road into areas near the drainage. In Divisions Echo and Juliet, indirect line construction and improvements have been completed.

Today: Fire behavior will be minimal this morning but is expected to increase through the day as temperature warm and humidity levels begin to drop. With containment achieved and evacuation levels reduced in Divisions Charlie and Zulu, personnel will be focused on improving the dozer line near the Deep Creek burn scar and conducting mop op operations along the fire perimeter. Crews in Division November will monitor fire activity focusing on the Ashley Creek drainage. As activity increases, crews will assess the need for any additional firing or suppression actions. Divisions Juliet and Echo will be monitored for fire activity throughout the day.

Weather: After a cool morning with temperatures in the upper 30’s and 40’s, high temperatures will rebound into the 70’s and 80’s this afternoon. Humidity levels will decrease through the day as a ridge of high pressure builds into the area bringing warmer temperature and drier air. Temperatures will continue to rise with high temperatures in the 90’s expected by midweek.

Evacuations:

• Evac Order: all residences in the Harlow and Ashley zones.
• Pre-Evac/Warning: all residences in the Graves NE and Graves SE zones.

The color-coded evacuation maps are located on InciWeb and Facebook. 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:

• The Red Cross Shelter in Thompson Falls has gone to standby status. If you need assistance, please call 800-272-6668.
• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-airfire-tools/
• Temporary flight restrictions specific to Thorne Creek Fire: tfr.faa.gov
• 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.
• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.
• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.
• Ready, Set, GO! wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov.
• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information.
• No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Lolo National Forest

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

August 10, 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: 21,967
• Containment: 15%
• Injuries: 4

Resources

• Crews: 5                        
• Dozers: 1
• Engines: 18                    
• Skidgens: 2                      
• Helicopters: 4              
• Feller Bunchers: 2              
• Water Tenders: 11      
• Masticator: 1
• Personnel: 418  

     
Reported fire acreage has not changed due to infra-red aircraft being unable to fly.

Summary: Fire activity is expected to increase over the coming days as a warming and drying trend allows vegetation to become more receptive to burning. Temperatures will climb back into the 90’s midweek with lower humidity levels. Fire personnel continue to clear out unburned vegetation between the fire line and Ashley Creek Road as personnel work to keep the fires edge in the drainage. Mop up and patrol operations are working to add depth to existing control lines as they eliminate remaining areas of heat along the west side of the perimeter. Personnel continue to look for opportunities to minimize the footprint of the fire should it move out of Ashley Creek.

Yesterday: Ground crews performed small burn operations to eliminate unburned areas between the fire line and the Ashley Creek Road in Division November. Helicopters performed water drops above Ashley Creek to cool the fire in higher elevations of the drainage and hold the fire on the north side of Ashley Creek. Montana National Guard and Montana Air Guard personnel used hose lays to cool remaining areas of heat along the west side of Division November. Personnel in Divisions Charlie and Zulu monitored the area for remaining heat and fire activity. No heat sources were identified within 100-feet of the control lines. Indirect control lines in Divisions Echo and Juliet have been completed.   

Today: In Division November, crews will utilize firing operations as needed along Ashley Creek Road to eliminate unburned pockets of vegetation between the fire’s edge and the road. Cleaning out these pockets will decrease the amount of fuel available as the fire continues to back into the bottom of the drainage. Heavy equipment will be working along the road to thin larger vegetation in an effort improve the road as a viable control line. Helicopters will continue to cool areas of heat in the upper slopes of the Ashley Creek drainage to decrease fire intensity and movement. Fire personnel will patrol Division Charlie and Zulu to identify remaining surface heat and to monitor for fire activity. Indirect control lines have been completed in Divisions Echo and Juliet. Fire personnel will be scouting the area for opportunities to add additional indirect lines in an effort to keep the fire’s footprint as small as possible.

Weather:  High pressure has begun to build into the area resulting in an increase in temperature and a drop in humidity levels. Temperatures will return to the 80’s with humidity levels dropping into the 20’s. As the ridge continues to build and move over the area, temperatures are expected to climb into the 90’s midweek. Winds will be light, and terrain driven with potential gusts to 25-miles-per-hour at ridgeline.

Evacuations:

• Evac Order: all residences in the Harlow and Ashley zones.
• Pre-Evac/Warning: all residences in the Graves NE and Graves SE zones.

The color-coded evacuation maps are located on InciWeb and Facebook. 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:

• The Red Cross Shelter in Thompson Falls has gone to standby status. If you need assistance, please call 800-272-6668.
• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-airfire-tools/
• Temporary flight restrictions specific to Thorne Creek Fire: tfr.faa.gov
• 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.
• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.
• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.
• Ready, Set, GO! wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov.
• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information.
• No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Lolo National Forest

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

August 11, 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

• Location: 5 miles NE of Thompson Falls
• Date of Origin: 7/7/2021
• Cause: Lightning
• Acres: 22,739
• Containment: 15%
• Injuries: 4

Resources

• Crews: 4                        
• Dozers: 1
• Engines: 17                    
• Skidgens: 2                      
• Helicopters: 4             
• Feller Bunchers: 0              
• Water Tenders: 11      
• Masticator: 1
• Personnel: 405   

There will be a community meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 12, in the pavilion at Ainsworth Park, 200 Lincoln Street, Thompson Falls, MT.

Summary: Higher temperatures and lower humidity levels combined with gusty winds to increase fire activity in the upper portions of the Ashley Creek drainage on Tuesday. The main body of fire responded to the fire weather conditions by moving across the bottom of the drainage and spread onto the northern slope. Once the smoke lifts late this morning, fire managers will assess the status of the Ashley creek drainage.  Crews continue to patrol and monitor fire activity in areas that have been contained while other fire personnel are conducting mop up operations along the west perimeter of the fire.

Yesterday: Fire activity increased in the upper portions of the Ashley Creek drainage leading to an increase in smoke production. Heavy equipment was used to thin vegetation in the bottom of the drainage to improve Ashley Creek Road as a possible check line in Division November. Personnel in Divisions Echo and Juliet scouted to identify potential control lines and began improving established roads from Liver Ridge to Goat Lake. Divisions Charlie and Zulu are being monitored for fire activity and crews conducting mop up operations are finding almost no heat within 100-feet of the control lines.

Today: In Division November, firefighter will assess the fire spread in the upper areas of the Ashley Creek drainage to determine the level of firing operations firing operations that will be needed between Ashley Creek and the Thompson River. Firefighters will monitor fire activity in Divisions Charlie and Zulu as structure protection personnel remove equipment that is no longer needed. With control lines completed in Divisions Echo and Juliet, fire personnel will be scouting to identify potential alternate control line locations and control features that could slow fire spread between Goat Lake and Liver Ridge.   

Weather:  Temperatures will continue to climb with high temperatures in the 80’s on the fire and humidity levels dropping into the twenties. Winds will be gusty this morning, 15 to 25 m.p.h., but are expected to calm heading into the afternoon and evening. Temperatures are expected to continue to warm with decreasing humidity levels through the end of the week.

Evacuations:

• Evac Order: all residences in the Harlow and Ashley zones.
• Pre-Evac/Warning: all residences in the Graves NE and Graves SE zones.

The color-coded evacuation maps are located on InciWeb and Facebook. 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:

• The Red Cross Shelter in Thompson Falls has gone to standby status. If you need assistance, please call 800-272-6668.
• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-airfire-tools/
• Temporary flight restrictions specific to Thorne Creek Fire: tfr.faa.gov
• 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.
• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.
• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.
• Ready, Set, GO! wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov.
• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information.
• No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org
•  

Sanders County Residents:
All residences in the Harlow area of the evacuation zone have been moved back the pre-evacuation warning status. All the residences in the Snider and Copper King areas of Lower Thompson River will be placed in pre-evacuation status. Deputies from the Sanders County Sheriff's Office will be coming door to door in the Snider and Copper King areas with pre-evacuation paperwork for home owners to fill out.
Thank you, Sheriff Tom Rummel

West Lolo Complex personnel will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 12, in the pavilion at Ainsworth Park, 200 Lincoln Street, Thompson Falls, MT.

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Lolo National Forest

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

August 12, 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: 23,010

Containment: 15%

Injuries: 4

Resources

Crews: 5                        

Dozers: 1

Engines: 16                    

Skidgens: 2                      

Helicopters: 5             

 Feller Bunchers: 0              

Water Tenders: 14      

Masticator: 1

Personnel: 402   

There will be a community meeting today, Thursday, August 12, at 6 p.m. in the pavilion at Ainsworth Park, 200 Lincoln Street, Thompson Falls, MT.

Summary: The Sanders County Sheriff reduced evacuation orders for residents in the Harlow zone to a warning on Wednesday. Residents in the Thompson River zone were placed under an evacuation warning. Aerial firing operations continued in the Ashley Creek to minimize the effects of the fire becoming established on the north aspect of the drainage. Crews will continue hand and aerial ignitions to slow fire spread and add depth to the control line on the west perimeter. Mop up and backhaul operations are on going in areas that have been contained. 

Yesterday: In Division November, aerial firing operations were initiated after increased fire activity caused by the wind event the day before allowed the fire to become established on the north aspect of the drainage. The goal is to bring fire down the ridge and into the bottom of the drainage at a slow pace to protect the watershed from high intensity fire effects. Heavy equipment continued improving the Ashley Creek Road by removing larger vegetation and snags. In Divisions Charlie and Zulu, backhaul operations continued removing equipment that is no longer needed.   

Today: The Lolo Interagency Hotshots will be joined in Division November by the Lewis and Clark Hotshots and a highly skilled Type 2 Initial Attack crew, Gannett Glacier, out of Alaska. Crews will begin hand firing along the control line on the west side of the perimeter. Aerial firing operations will continue to introduce backing fire from the ridgeline. Over the next few days, crews will be moving fire towards the Thompson River. Fire personnel in Divisions Echo and Juliet will monitor for fire activity as they continue to scout for areas to slow fire spread to the south and east. Patrol personnel in Divisions Echo and Zulu will focus on equipment backhaul and monitoring fire activity.

Weather:  Continued hot and dry with temperature in the 90’s and humidity levels in the low 20’s. Winds will switch from northwest to northeast with gusts to 15 m.p.h. The high-pressure system over the fire is expected to begin breaking down. This will create critical fire weather conditions heading into the weekend.  

Evacuations:

• Evac Order: all residences in the Harlow and Ashley zones.
• Pre-Evac/Warning: all residences in the Graves NE and Graves SE zones.

The color-coded evacuation maps are located on InciWeb and Facebook. 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:

• The Red Cross Shelter in Thompson Falls has gone to standby status. If you need assistance, please call 800-272-6668.
• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-airfire-tools/
• Temporary flight restrictions specific to Thorne Creek Fire: tfr.faa.gov
• 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.
• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.
• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.
• Ready, Set, GO! wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov.
• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information.
• No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org

Residents of Sanders County:

All residences in the Snider and Copper King communities have been moved from the Pre-Evacuation status to an Evacuation Order. There will be a road block at the intersection of the ACM road and the County Road just southwest of Snider. This road block will be staffed by National Guard personnel. Resident's of Snider and Copper King will need passes to access their property. These passes may be obtained either at the road block or at the Sheriff's Office. Snider and Copper King will be patrolled by Sanders County Deputies to maintain security. The ACM side of Thompson River will remain open for those who want to access the Thompson River area.

Thank you,
Tom Rummel Sanders County Sheriff

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Lolo National Forest

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

August 13, 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: 23,734
• Containment: 15%
• Injuries: 4

Resources

• Crews: 5                        
• Dozers: 2
• Engines: 16                    
• Skidgens: 3                      
• Helicopters: 5              
• Feller Bunchers: 0              
• Water Tenders: 16      
• Masticator: 1
• Personnel: 385

Summary: The Sanders County Sheriff placed the Thompson River Zone under an evacuation order Thursday. The order was placed due to an increase in fire activity on the south end of the fire. Aerial ignitions continue to introduce backing fire into the north facing aspect of the Ashley Creek drainage. Crews will be conducting hand ignitions between Ashley Creek and the Thompson River. Hot and dry conditions will support increased fire activity into the weekend.

Yesterday: In Division November, aerial ignitions continued on the south side of the Ashley Creek drainage. Crews worked to improve the control line along the west perimeter in anticipation of hand firing operations. Helicopters performed bucket drops to cool areas of heat in the Goat Lake area. Structure protection personnel continued assessing and prepping homes along the Thompson River in Division Juliet. An evacuation order was placed in the Thompson River Zone yesterday. Backhaul operations and fire monitoring continued in Divisions Charlie and Zulu. Division Echo was monitored for fire activity.

Today: Crews will resume hand firing above the Mount Silcox Wildlife Management Area in Division November to remove vegetation in the understory and to strengthen the control line between Ashley Creek and the Thompson River. In Division Juliet, personnel continue to assess and prep homes along the Thompson River. Removal of equipment and fire activity monitoring will be the focus in Division Charlie and Zulu. Division Echo will be monitored for fire activity.

Weather:  Near critical fire weather expected today. Temperature in the 90’s and humidity levels in the upper teens and 20’s will support active fire behavior today and tomorrow. Winds will remain terrain driven at around 10 m.p.h. A cold front is expected on Sunday bringing cooler temperature and higher humidity levels.

Evacuations:

• Evac Order: all residences in the Ashley and Thompson River zones.
• Pre-Evac/Warning: all residences in the Graves NE, Graves SE, and Harlow zones.

85 residents are under evacuation orders.

The color-coded evacuation maps are located on InciWeb and Facebook. 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:

• The Red Cross Shelter in Thompson Falls has gone to standby status. If you need assistance, please call 800-272-6668.
• Air quality and smoke monitoring can be found at https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-airfire-tools/
• Temporary flight restrictions specific to Thorne Creek Fire: tfr.faa.gov
• 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.
• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information can be found on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.
• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect; visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more about local fire restrictions.
• Ready, Set, GO! wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov.
• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information.
• No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org  

The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Thompson Falls Community Center which is located at 410 Golf Street. Families also can request Red Cross services by calling 800-272-6668.

West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Lolo National Forest

Southern Area Incident Management Gold Team

Debbie Beard, Incident Commander

August 14, 2021

Contact Information

Information Line: 208-274-9674, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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

Facebook: @WestLoloComplex

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: 24,630

Containment: 15%

Injuries: 4

Resources

Crews: 5                       

 Dozers: 2

Engines: 16                  

 Skidgens: 3                      

Helicopters: 5             

Feller Bunchers: 0              

Water Tenders: 16      

Masticator: 1

Personnel: 385