The following roads and trails are closed: Forest System Road #2660 (Tenas Creek Road), at its inception, at the intersection with Forest System Road #26 (Suiattle River Road), and continuing east to its terminus, located within T33N, R11E; Sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 29, & 30, as shown in Exhibit A. - Boulder Lake Trail #740, at its inception, including the Boulder Lake Trailhead, and continuing northeast to its terminus, located within T33N, R11E; Sections 23, 24 & 26, as shown in Exhibit A.

Due to potential fire spread, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest issued an emergency closure order for the Suiattle River Fire on August 31. This order closes closes all roads trails and raods within the closureboundary, including Buck Creek Campground and the Suiattle River Road (Forest Road 26) at the 10.5 mile marker. Refer to the attached closure order and map for the full list of closed trails. 

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 16, 2022

*The next update will be Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 


Over the past few days, cool weather and higher humidity have greatly moderated fire behavior. The Boulder Lake Fire is now approximately 1,831 acres in size with minimal fire growth since the beginning of the week. The south flank of the fire is still producing smoke and some fire activity that includes smoldering and creeping fire behavior. Early in the week, the fire received a small amount of precipitation which further moderated fire behavior. The Gold Creek Cabin remains unburned. 
 
Yesterday, crews worked to build a saw line on the south flank of the fire to prevent fire spread from an isolated pocket of heavy dead and down fuel that was actively burning outside of the Wilderness boundary. Heavy equipment continues to improve existing roads to the east of the fire for access and opportunities for containment. Helicopters may be used as needed to check fire spread as visibility and flying conditions allow. This week, engines from the MT DNRC patrolled for spot fires on the eastern flank of the fire near the Gold Creek Trailhead.
 
Cool weather and higher humidity are anticipated through the rest of the week and weekend. Fire managers continue to utilize a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the south and eastern flanks of the fire, outside of the Wilderness boundary. Containment opportunities will continue to be assessed and may include existing burn areas, natural barriers, trails, and existing road systems.

Incident Overview: The Boulder Lake Fire was reported on Sept. 3, 2022, and is burning primarily in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, east of Boulder Lake on the Missoula Ranger District. A Point-Zone Protection strategy is being utilized in the Wilderness. This strategy protects highly valued resources (such as buildings, infrastructure, or recreational assets) from the fire, utilizing various natural and geographic features (past wildfires, trails, rock, and cliff bands) while protecting other values consistent with the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Additionally, fire managers will be utilizing a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the eastern and southeastern flanks of the fire outside of the Wilderness. Containment opportunities may include existing burn scars, natural barriers, and road systems. 

FUEL TYPE Burning in heavy timber, dead and downed timber, and snag trees (overhead hazards). The Boulder Lake Fire is surrounded to the east and southeast by the Mineral Primm Fire (2003) and to the north by the Liberty Fire (2017) burned areas.

FIRE BEHAVIOR Creeping, backing, and smoldering. 

CLOSURES: An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin.

CLOSED AREAS:

• Access is closed to Boulder Lake, Fly Lake, and Gold Creek Lake. 
• Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).

• Boulder Lake Trail #333, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Road #4323 to milepost 5.4 at Boulder Lake. 
• Boulder Point Trail #334, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #333 to milepost 0.2 at the end of the trail. 
• Fly Lake Trail #336, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #518 to milepost 1.3 at Fly Lake. 
• Porcupine Creek Trail #504, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Rattlesnake Creek Trail #515 to milepost 4.1 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Creek Trail #518, from milepost 0.0 at trailhead on Road #16859 to milepost 4.9 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Cabin (Lower Gold Ridge) Trail #519, from milepost 0.0 at its junction with Trail #518 to the end of the trail. 

• Gold Creek Road NFSR #126, from milepost 10.1 at its junction with Road #2118 to the end of the road at milepost 12.5.
• Gold Ridge Road NFSR #2118, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Creek Road #126 to milepost 3.4 at the gate.
• Gold Ridge Meadows Road NFSR #2121, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Ridge Road #2118 to milepost 4.3 at the gate.
• Upper Gold Peak Spur NFSR #16859, from junction with Road #2121 to the end of the road at milepost 1.2.

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 13, 2022

The Boulder Lake Fire is now approximately 1,800 acres in size due to fire growth on the south flank of the fire. Fire behavior on the south flank includes surface fire with isolated torching, creeping, and backing in heavy dead and down fuels. The fire has now reached the Boulder Lake Trail #333 to the south. Continued point protection efforts by helicopters have resulted in the Gold Creek Cabin remaining unburned.
 
Yesterday, heavy equipment completed operations to improve existing roads to the south of the fire and will now move into the road system to the east of the fire to improve access and opportunities for containment. Helicopters will continue to be used as needed to conduct water bucket drops and check fire spread as visibility and flying conditions allow. MT DNRC engines continue to seek out and extinguish spot fires on the eastern flank of the fire near the Gold Creek Trailhead.
 
Cooler weather is settling in over the fire area beginning today. Cool weather and higher humidity is forecasted through the rest of the week which should help to moderate fire behavior.
Fire managers continue to utilize a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the south and eastern flanks of the fire, outside of the Wilderness boundary. Containment opportunities will continue to be assessed and may include existing burn areas, natural barriers, trails, and existing road systems.
 
Closure Update: A road closure barricade has been adjusted to allow public access to the east of the closure into Road #4224/Black Mountain area; however, the existing area closure and associated trail and road closures remain in place for public safety. 
 
Incident Overview: The Boulder Lake Fire was reported on Sept. 3, 2022, and is burning primarily in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, east of Boulder Lake on the Missoula Ranger District. A Point-Zone Protection strategy is being utilized in the Wilderness. This strategy protects highly valued resources (such as buildings, infrastructure, or recreational assets) from the fire, utilizing various natural and geographic features (past wildfires, trails, rock, and cliff bands) while protecting other values consistent with the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Additionally, fire managers will be utilizing a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the eastern and southeastern flanks of the fire outside of the Wilderness. Containment opportunities may include existing burn scars, natural barriers, and road systems. 

CLOSURES: An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin.

CLOSED AREAS:

• Access is closed to Boulder Lake, Fly Lake, and Gold Creek Lake. 
• Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 11, 2022

The Boulder Lake Fire is now approximately 1,700 acres in size due to fire growth on the south flank of the fire. Fire behavior on the south flank includes surface fire with isolated single tree torching, short-range spotting, and creeping in heavy dead and down fuels with a high concentration of overhead hazards. The Gold Creek cabin remains unburned. Point protection of the cabin will continue as needed using helicopter bucket drops to check any fire spread toward the cabin.
 
Heavy equipment is operating south of the fire working to improve existing roads for access and control lines. Today, multiple helicopters will work to conduct water bucket drops along the south flank to check fire spread and moderate fire activity in coordination with firefighters on the ground. MT DNRC engines continue to seek out and extinguish spot fires on the north flank of the fire near the Gold Creek Trailhead.
 
Hot and dry conditions will persist today and tomorrow, which may increase fire activity and smoke production over the next several days. Cooler weather is forecasted for the middle of the week. Smoke may be visible from Missoula, upper Gold Creek, the Ninemile Prairie Road area, and parts of Seeley Lake.
 
Fire managers continue to utilize a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the south and eastern flanks of the fire, outside of the Wilderness boundary. Containment opportunities will continue to be assessed and may include existing burn areas, natural barriers, trails, and existing road systems.
 
FUEL TYPE Burning in heavy timber, dead and downed timber, and snag trees (overhead hazards) with a mixed conifer/subalpine fir fuel component. The Boulder Lake Fire is surrounded to the east and southeast by the Mineral Primm Fire (2003) and to the north by the Liberty Fire (2017) burned areas.
 
FIRE BEHAVIOR Occasional single tree torching and wind-driven runs, creeping, and smoldering. Fire activity is expected to increase in the afternoons with warm and dry conditions. 
 
CLOSURES An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin. Please refer to the Closures Page  on Inciweb. 

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 9, 2022

Yesterday, late afternoon wind gusts pushed the fire to the south and west of Gold Creek Cabin, a primitive Forest Service structure (located near the south flank of the fire). The cabin, which is wrapped in aluminized structure wrap, remains unburned. A helicopter will conduct water bucket drops today to check fire spread toward the cabin and protect the structure. Currently, the south flank of the fire is the most active exhibiting moderate-active surface fire, along with creeping and smoldering fire behavior.
 
Due to yesterday afternoon’s activity, it is estimated the fire grew by about 100 acres and is now approximately 1,500 acres in size. Today, crews are expecting increased relative humidity and cooler temperatures which will help to moderate fire behavior.
 
In addition to protecting the cabin, crews are working hard to keep the fire in check and limit spread onto National Forest lands outside of the Wilderness that are under MT DNRC protection. Today, MT DNRC engines will be working on seeking out and extinguishing spot fires on the east flank of the fire and directing water bucket drops on the south flank of the fire to protect the cabin. 
 
Fire managers will continue to utilize a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the south and eastern flanks of the fire, outside of the Wilderness boundary. Containment opportunities in these areas will be assessed and may include existing burn areas, natural barriers, trails, and existing road systems.
 
Starting tomorrow and through the rest of the weekend, crews are anticipating dry, hot, and breezy conditions to return to the fire area. Fire activity may increase under these conditions and smoke may become more visible. Smoke may be visible from Missoula, upper Gold Creek, the Ninemile Prairie Road area, and parts of Seeley Lake. 
 
Incident Overview: The Boulder Lake Fire was reported on Sept. 3, 2022, and is burning primarily in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, east of Boulder Lake on the Missoula Ranger District. A Point-Zone Protection strategy is being utilized in the Wilderness. This strategy protects highly valued resources (such as buildings, infrastructure, or recreational assets) from the fire, utilizing various natural and geographic features (past wildfires, trails, rock, and cliff bands) while protecting other values consistent with the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Additionally, fire managers will be utilizing a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the eastern and southeastern flanks of the fire outside of the Wilderness. Containment opportunities may include existing burn scars, natural barriers, and road systems. 
 
FUEL TYPE Burning in heavy timber, dead and downed timber, and snag trees (overhead hazards) with a mixed conifer/subalpine fir fuel component. The Boulder Lake Fire is surrounded to the east and southeast by the Mineral Primm Fire (2003) and to the north by the Liberty Fire (2017) burned areas.
 
CLOSURES: An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin.
 
CLOSED AREAS:

• Access is closed to Boulder Lake, Fly Lake, and Gold Creek Lake. 
• Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).

• Boulder Lake Trail #333, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Road #4323 to milepost 5.4 at Boulder Lake. 
• Boulder Point Trail #334, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #333 to milepost 0.2 at the end of the trail. 
• Fly Lake Trail #336, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #518 to milepost 1.3 at Fly Lake. 
• Porcupine Creek Trail #504, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Rattlesnake Creek Trail #515 to milepost 4.1 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Creek Trail #518, from milepost 0.0 at trailhead on Road #16859 to milepost 4.9 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Cabin (Lower Gold Ridge) Trail #519, from milepost 0.0 at its junction with Trail #518 to the end of the trail. 

• Gold Creek Road NFSR #126, from milepost 10.1 at its junction with Road #2118 to the end of the road at milepost 12.5.
• Gold Ridge Road NFSR #2118, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Creek Road #126 to milepost 3.4 at the gate.
• Gold Ridge Meadows Road NFSR #2121, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Ridge Road #2118 to milepost 4.3 at the gate.
• Upper Gold Peak Spur NFSR #16859, from junction with Road #2121 to the end of the road at milepost 1.2.

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 8, 2022

Critical fire weather yesterday including wind gusts and low relative humidity, contributed to increased fire behavior and smoke production on the Boulder Lake Fire which was visible late in the afternoon from Missoula and Seeley Lake, MT. Information gathered from a reconnaissance flight indicates that the fire is now estimated to be 1,400 acres in size. 
 
Within the 1,400-acre fire perimeter, the fire burned inconsistently and with varying levels of intensity including moderately-severely burned areas and areas that burned in a mosaic pattern. Yesterday evening, wind-driven fire growth predominantly occurred to the east and northeast, pushing the fire into the Liberty Fire burn scar (2017) and into islands of unburned fuel. Observed fire behavior within the Liberty Fire burned area has been moderate to minimal. 
 
While most of the fire is still located within the Rattlesnake Wilderness, the fire has pushed out of the Wilderness boundary on the east and southeastern flanks and onto Lolo National Forest lands under MT DNRC protection jurisdiction. Due to this, the Forest Service, and partners at the MT DNRC, will be entering into a Unified Command structure and delegating management of the fire to a Type 3 Incident Commander. 
Fire managers will utilize a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the southeast and eastern flanks of the fire, outside of the Wilderness boundary. Containment opportunities in these areas will be assessed and utilized which may include existing burn areas, natural barriers, and existing road systems.
 
Today, two MT DNRC engines are operating in the Gold Creek Trailhead area, northeast of the main fire, working on finding and extinguishing spot fires. A helicopter will also be used to check the fire spread along the south and southeastern flank of the fire which is currently where the fire is most active, exhibiting creeping, smoldering and isolated torching behavior. 
 
Incident Overview: The Boulder Lake Fire was reported on Sept. 3, 2022, and is burning primarily in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, east of Boulder Lake on the Missoula Ranger District. A Point-Zone Protection strategy is being utilized in the Wilderness. This strategy protects highly valued resources (such as buildings, infrastructure, or recreational assets) from the fire, utilizing various natural and geographic features (past wildfires, trails, rock, and cliff bands) while protecting other values consistent with the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Additionally, fire managers will be utilizing a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the eastern and southeastern flanks of the fire outside of the Wilderness. Containment opportunities may include existing burn scars, natural barriers, and road systems. 

CLOSURES: An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin (please reference the attached map).
 
CLOSED AREAS

• Access is closed to Boulder Lake, Fly Lake and Gold Creek Lake. 
• Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).

• Boulder Lake Trail #333, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Road #4323 to milepost 5.4 at Boulder Lake. 
• Boulder Point Trail #334, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #333 to milepost 0.2 at the end of the trail. 
• Fly Lake Trail #336, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #518 to milepost 1.3 at Fly Lake. 
• Porcupine Creek Trail #504, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Rattlesnake Creek Trail #515 to milepost 4.1 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Creek Trail #518, from milepost 0.0 at trailhead on Road #16859 to milepost 4.9 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Cabin (Lower Gold Ridge) Trail #519, from milepost 0.0 at its junction with Trail #518 to the end of the trail. 

• Gold Creek Road NFSR #126, from milepost 10.1 at its junction with Road #2118 to the end of the road at milepost 12.5.
• Gold Ridge Road NFSR #2118, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Creek Road #126 to milepost 3.4 at the gate.
• Gold Ridge Meadows Road NFSR #2121, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Ridge Road #2118 to milepost 4.3 at the gate.
• Upper Gold Peak Spur NFSR #16859, from junction with Road #2121 to the end of the road at milepost 1.2.

CLOSURES: An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin, along with trails and roads in the upper Gold Creek area. (please reference the map).

CLOSED AREAS:

• Access is closed to Boulder Lake, Fly Lake and Gold Creek Lake. 
• Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 7

Yesterday, the Boulder Lake Fire grew to about 300 acres in size due to critical fire weather conditions including low humidity and wind gusts. Fire growth primarily occurred to the east and northeast, but fire activity was also observed on the west flank of the fire. The fire is still burning entirely within the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Because of the increased fire activity to the west, Boulder Lake, Fly Lake, and Gold Creek Lake (above Boulder Lake) are now closed to the public including associated access trails (see closure description below and attached map). Smoke may be visible from Arlee, Missoula, Seeley Lake, Highway 200 and I-90.
 
Fire activity and behavior includes single and group tree torching, short wind-driven crown runs, short-range spotting, creeping, and smoldering. Short-range spotting and spot fires are common in the subalpine/mixed conifer fuel type which typically burns in a torching and spotting pattern depending on wind and conditions. Firefighters are on-scene assessing the situation and scouting for possible containment options outside of the wilderness to the southeast of the fire. Helicopters may be used periodically to limit fire spread. 
 
Yesterday, crews conducted structure preparation on the Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure) by clearing vegetation away from cabin and applying aluminized structure wrap, or cabin wrap, to the exterior of the cabin to protect it from potential radiant heat and embers. Today, firefighters are expecting another day of elevated fire conditions and increased fire activity in the afternoons due to persistent hot, dry, and windy conditions. Terrain, fuel type, and the presence of snag trees limit the ability to place firefighters directly on the fire. Firefighter and public safety is the top priority when assessing this engagement.
 
NEW: An area closure is now in place for the Boulder Lake/Upper Gold Creek basin, including Boulder and Fly Lakes. Emergency trail closures remain in effect and have been expanded for this area and road closures in upper Gold Creek are now in place (please see attached map).  
 
Incident Overview: The Boulder Lake Fire was reported at approximately 9 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2022, and is burning in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, east of Boulder Lake on the Missoula Ranger District. Due to existing terrain and fuel conditions, which create difficultly in establishing lookouts, escape routes, and safety zones for ground crews, the incident is being managed under a Point-Zone Protection strategy. A Point-Zone Protection strategy protects highly valued resources (such as buildings, infrastructure, or recreational assets) from the fire, utilizing various natural and geographic features (past wildfires, trails, rock, and cliff bands) while protecting other values consistent with the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Air support, such as helicopters, may be used to slow and limit potential fire spread and minimize potential fire spotting distances. The Boulder Lake Fire is surrounded to the east and southeast by the Mineral Primm Fire (2003) and to the north by the Liberty Fire (2017) burned areas.
 
If the fire progresses outside of the Rattlesnake Wilderness, opportunities for implementing a Direct/Indirect suppression strategy will be assessed. Containment opportunities outside the Wilderness and roadless areas are currently being assessed and would likely utilize existing burn scars, natural barriers, and road systems.

CLOSURES: An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin (please reference the attached map).

CLOSED AREAS:

• Access is closed to Boulder Lake, Fly Lake and Gold Creek Lake. 
• Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).

Boulder Lake Fire Update for Sept. 6

Update: The Boulder Lake Fire is now 25 acres in size, with observed fire activity on the southeast flank of the fire. The fire is burning about .75 miles east of Boulder Lake in the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Firefighters are on-scene assessing the situation and scouting for possible containment options outside of the wilderness to the southeast of the fire. Helicopters may be used periodically to limit fire spread. The Boulder Lake Fire is surrounded to the east and southeast by the Mineral Primm Fire (2003) and to the north by the Liberty Fire (2017) burned areas.
 
Fire activity is expected to increase in the afternoons due to persistent hot, dry and breezy conditions. Due to current and predicted fire behavior, the Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure) is closed for public use. Crews are clearing vegetation away from cabin and applying aluminized structure wrap, or cabin wrap, to the exterior of the cabin to protect it from potential radiant heat and embers. Emergency trail closures remain in effect for this area (please see below).  
 
The need for additional closures will be reassessed based on current and predicted fire behavior. Firefighters and managers are anticipating a critical fire weather day today and tomorrow with the potential for increased fire activity and smoke production. 

 Emergency closures are in effect for public safety. The following trails/locations are currently closed:

• Gold Creek Trail #518 from its junction with #336 (Fly Lake Trail) south to its junction with Boulder Lake Trail #333.
• Gold Cabin Trail #519 and Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).