The Bull Gin Complex is currently 2,318 acres and 0% contained.

Government Fire: 1,215 acres (NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire: 859 acres (NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 244 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)

Current and Planned Activity

Government Fire: The fire was active in the Miller Gulch area as the fire grew to the south and east with spotting 500 to 1,000 feet ahead of the main fire. On the west side, the fire slowly reached control lines established to the north of and along the 150 road where firefighters successfully held the fire. Dozer operators made progress on a control line to the south of the fire and north of residences on Government Mountain Road. Helicopters supported efforts with water bucket drops when requested by firefighters. Today, clearing of vegetation along the 150 road and Rock Creek Road continues with hand crews, masticators, chippers, and clippers. On the west side, the Flathead Hotshots will again focus on holding the fire where it came down to Government Creek. Crews will continue construction on the dozer line north of Government Mountain Road. Scouting for potential firelines between Government Creek and Soldier Creek will occur. 

Two hand crews are dedicated to the Rock Lake Fire, a three-acre fire near Rock Lake trailhead, extinguishing remaining heat near the fire edge further securing the perimeter.

Billiard Fire: Fire growth occurred along the western and southern edge of the fire approaching dozer line northeast of Fatman Mountain. Firefighters successfully held the fire along dozer and handline previously constructed near the 2290 road. Today, crews and heavy equipment will work to prepare roads and machine line by removing brush and smaller along Fatman Mountain Road and to the north. Firefighters will continue to hold and secure fireline on the west side where fire as reached the line. Structure protection work includes fuel removal and setting up water systems in the Hillside Lane area and assessments in the Blue Creek area.

Isabella Lake Fire: The fire remains unstaffed and monitored from the air. Minimal growth of approximately 16 acres occurred yesterday.

Evacuations: On September 8th the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office placed the residents along Government Mountain Road and Timber Ridge Road into pre-evacuation status. Please sign up for Sanders County Emergency Alerts at 406-203-0082 to stay informed on the status of emergency conditions.

Closures: Area, road, and trail closures are in place for the Government Fire, Billiard Fire, and Isabella Lake Fire to provide for public safety and firefighting operations.

Weather: Warmer and drier weather is expected today. Mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 70’s with easterly ridgetop winds 8 to 12 mph and gusts up to 16 mph.     

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The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office placed the residents along Government Mountain Road and Timber Ridge Road into pre-evacuation status on September 8th. Please sign up for Sanders County Emergency Alerts at 406-203-0082 to stay informed of the status of emergency conditions. 

The Bull Gin Complex is comprised of three wildland fires and is currently 1,790 acres and 0% contained. An infrared flight occurred at 10:00 PM yesterday evening providing updated acreage for each fire.

Government Fire: 791 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire: 771 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 228 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)
 

Current and Planned Activity

Government Fire: Yesterday, the south and east areas of fire were most active in Miller Gulch. On the west side, handcrews, along with helicopter bucket support, held the fire at a dozer line north of the 150 road as the fire gently backed down towards Government Creek. Engine crews tested structure protection equipment installed around the structures along Government Mountain Road. Today, fire crews will hold and improve dozer line along Government Creek and extend the line north to implement a continuous holding feature. Brushing and clearing will continue along the 150 road. Firefighters are working with landowners to scout line and implement a fireline on the southern edge above private structures.

Yesterday, Bull Gin Complex fire resources responded to an initial attack near the Rock Lake trailhead. Firefighters successfully constructed containment line and installed hoselays around the three-acre perimeter. Today, firefighters will extinguish remaining heat near the fire edge.

Billiard Fire: Yesterday, the Billiard Fire experienced minimal growth along the western edge. Firefighters worked with heavy equipment to connect machine line and handline from Fatman Road to the ridgeline. Local Cabinet Ranger District employees and Grangeville Helitack crew members flew to the Star Peak Lookout yesterday and successfully wrapped the lookout in heat resistant material. Today, crews will hold and improve the 2290 road and continue efforts to connect line to Blue Creek Road. The structure protection group is conducting fuel removal in the Hillside Lane area and implementing water systems.

Isabella Lake Fire: The fire is burning in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness and remains unstaffed and monitored from the air. Minimal growth of approximately 21 acres occurred yesterday.

Evacuations: The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office placed the residents along Government Mountain Road and Timber Ridge Road into pre-evacuation status. Please sign up for Sanders County Emergency Alerts at 406-203-0082 to stay informed on the status of emergency conditions. 

Closures: Area, road, and trail closures are in place for the Government Fire, Billiard Fire, and Isabella Lake Fire to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. More detailed information regarding closures can be found on Inciweb or the Kootenai National Forest Webpage.

Weather: Cooler temperatures in the low to mid 60s, with northeast winds 5 to 10 mph and gusting up to 25 mph on the ridgetops.

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Area, road, and tail closure information for the Government Fire: Closure Order#  01-14-07-22-14 (pdf, 5,727 KB; includes map).

Public Meeting – Today, September 8th, 7:00 PM MDT

Noxon Volunteer Fire Department

The Bull Gin Complex is comprised of three wildland fires - the Government Fire, Billiard Fire, and Isabella Lake Fire. The complex is currently 1,418 acres and 0% contained. An infrared flight occurred just before 10:00 PM yesterday evening providing updated acreage for each of the three fires.

Government Fire: 527 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire: 684 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 207 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)
 

Current and Planned Activity

Government Fire: The fire grew 200 acres yesterday with growth occurring on the north and west sides of the fire. Fire activity increased around 1:00 PM yesterday afternoon and actively backed down towards Government Creek approaching the 150 Road. Due to fire activity and winds, firefighters and heavy equipment were pulled from the west side of the fire until they could safely re-engage.

Today, firefighters will assess new fire growth and reinforce constructed fireline on the west end of the fire. Multiple hand crews will be working along the Rock Creek Road towards the Rock Creek Trailhead to clear vegetation and create viable fireline. Heavy equipment continues to clear vegetation along roads on the west and east sides of the fire. Engine crews will test installed water systems around private structures which utilize portable water tanks to provide water to sprinklers via hoselays. Aviation support is available to slow fire spread as needed.

Billiard Fire: The fire grew 100 acres yesterday on the west side and reaching the 2209 road. Interior burning occurred as well; the strip of unburned fuels was consumed creating a contiguous fire area. Today, firefighters will assess new fire growth and work to secure the fire’s edge along Road 2209. Crews and heavy equipment will improve access and potential firelines.

Isabella Lake Fire: Minimal growth, less than 50 acres, occurred over the past two days. The fire is burning in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness between the East Fork of Bull River and Isabella Creek, west of Isabella Lake and north of Saint Paul Lake. The fire remains unstaffed and monitored from the air.

Closures: Area, road, and trail closures are in place for the Government Fire, Isabella Lake Fire, and Billiard Fire to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. More detailed information regarding closures can be found on Inciweb or the Kootenai National Forest Webpage.

Weather: Cooler temperatures, upper 60s to low 70s, with northwest winds 10 to 15 mph and gusting up to 20 mph on the ridgetops.

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NOTE: This Order is superseded by Order Number: # 01-14-07-22-16 

Area, road, and tail closure information for the Billiard Fire: Closure Order #01-14-07-22-12 (pdf, 3,762 KB; includes map). 

Public Meeting – Thursday September 8th, 7:00 PM

Noxon Volunteer Fire Department

The Bull Gin Complex is comprised of three wildland fires - the Government Fire, Billiard Fire, and Isabella Lake Fire. The complex is currently 1,066 acres and 0% contained.

An infrared flight occurred around 11:00 PM yesterday evening providing updated acreage for each of the three fires.

Government Fire: 313 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire: 574 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 179 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)

Current and Planned Activity

Government Fire: The fire grew just over 100 acres yesterday with growth occurring in all directions. The fire is slowly backing down to Government Creek on the west and into Miller Gulch on the east. Crews, along with heavy equipment removed brush along the 150 road (Government Creek) making progress on a shaded fuel break removing fuels to slow fire spread to the west. Aviation support provided water bucket drops on the northwest side of the fire to slow fire spread above Rock Creek. Today, firefighters will continue to remove fuels along road systems utilizing chainsaws and heavy equipment. Engine crews continue to install water systems around private structures as sprinklers, pumps and hose become available.

Billiard Fire: The fire grew just over 100 acres yesterday with growth occurring on the west and northwest side of the fire. Yesterday, aircraft delivered retardant to the southeast edge of the fire to slow fire spread towards Star Peak. Heavy equipment and crews are preparing a shaded fuel break from the junction of road 2294 and Fatman Road and expect to reach Blue Creek Road today or tomorrow.

Isabella Lake Fire: Located in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness between the East Fork of Bull River and Isabella Creek, west of Isabella Lake and north of Saint Paul Lake. The fire remains unstaffed and monitored from the air.

Closures: Area, road, and trail closures are in place for the Government Fire, Isabella Lake Fire, and Billiard Fire to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. More detailed information regarding closures can be found on Inciweb.

Weather: A red flag warning is in effect today due to low humidity and gusty winds. Winds will be southwest 12-18 mph with gusts to 25-30 mph during the afternoon. As a result of these conditions, more active fire behavior is anticipated.

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The Bull Gin Complex is comprised of three wildland fires - the Government Fire, Billiard Fire, and Isabella Lake Fire. The complex is currently 834 acres and 0% contained.

An infrared flight occurred at 9:00 p.m. yesterday evening providing updated acreage for each of the three fires.

Government Fire: 202 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire: 473 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 159 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)
 

Current and Planned Activity

Government Fire: Yesterday, crews began to install water systems consisting of sprinklers, pumps, and hoses around private structures along Government Road and Timber Ridge Road. The fire crossed over into Miller Creek and spotted onto the ridge to the east despite helicopter support with bucket drops. Today, efforts will focus on constructing a shaded fuel break with heavy equipment removing fuels along the 150 road (Government Creek) to slow fire spread to the west. Aviation support is available to aid in slowing fire spread to the east.

Billiard Fire: The fire grew to the west as it reached more available dead and down fuel on the surface. Hand crews constructed indirect fireline as they removed brush and other fuels along Fatman Road. On the southwest end of the fire area, heavy equipment and crews are prepping a shaded fuel break from road 2294 and the junction Fatman Road towards Blue Creek Road. Aviation support is available to aid in slowing fire spread to the west.

Isabella Lake Fire: Located in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness between the East Fork of Bull River and Isabella Creek, west of Isabella Lake and north of Saint Paul Lake. Local resources from the Cabinet Ranger District wrapped the bridge on Trail 646 providing point protection. Today, the fire will be unstaffed and monitored from the air.

Closures: Area and trail closures are in place for the Government Fire and the Isabella Lake Fire to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. Closures are pending for the Billiard Fire area between Hwy 56 and Hwy 200. More detailed information regarding closures can be found on Inciweb and Facebook.

Weather: Lighter, terrain driven winds with warmer drier temperatures are expected today. A red flag warning is in effect for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 7, 2022.

NOTE: This Order is superseded by Order Number: # 01-14-07-22-14   

Area, road, and tail closure information for the Government Fire: Closure Order # 01-14-07-22-11 (pdf, 3,065 KB; includes map)