Total Acres: 645
Containment: 15%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 210

Highlights: The Lemonade Fire has reached 15% containment, with extensive use of heavy equipment backed up by hand crews. A secondary cold front pushing through the area has lowered temperatures, moderating fire behavior. In addition, the northeast to east wind shift today will help push the fire back into itself on the northwest side. However, the southwest perimeter is of some concern with the wind direction change and the heavy fuels there. 

Operations: Progress continues with the strategies being implemented. From the southeast corner moving north, crews continue to put in fireline with heavy equipment, and hand crews are putting in hoses to use water for mopping up the fire's edge.

Yesterday the equipment line was constructed off the ridge on the northeast side to get around several spot fires. A helicopter dropped water to cool these spots. On the north, a type 2 initial attack crew is looking for opportunities to fight the fire directly. Equipment operators will work to get a line around the northern point.

Equipment operators are putting in a machine line on the west perimeter. Another type 2 initial attack crew is working in a plantation on the northwest side, laying hoses to use water to back up the machine line.

On the southwest perimeter, equipment operators are using feller bunchers to construct machine lines. Crews will grid for and extinguish hot spots on the south. Additionally, a felling module will address hazard trees so hand crews and engines can work safely. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will be 60-65 degrees in the fire area today, with 21-26% relative humidity. Wind speeds will vary at different parts of the fire but will be northeast to east 2-12 with gusts to 16 mph. A few sprinkles are possible, but nothing will result in significant precipitation. There is potential for spotting outside of the fire near the western point in any areas of indirect line construction. Plantations occur frequently and are still serving as areas of much-reduced fire behavior, if not barriers to spread.

Evacuations:  Currently, there are no evacuations; however, one property is under pre-evacuation notice.

Closures: Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 210, 211, and 287 are closed to the public. The closures are for public and firefighter safety as equipment, crews and aircraft are working extensively in the area.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area, including the use of drones. Remember, if you fly, we can't. 

Smoke: Visit https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/smokeforecasts for Montana Department of Environmental Quality smoke forecasts. 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 406-272-4859| Email: 2022.lemonade@firenet.gov 

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8379/ | www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead | https://twitter.com/flatheadnf

  

Total Acres: 636
Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 176

Highlights: Despite the Red Flag conditions yesterday, there was limited fire growth to the north, which had been a concern. Heavy equipment operators continued to make progress despite the winds; however, aircraft were grounded for much of the day, and there was limited crew engagement on the southwestern side due to hazard trees. 

Operations: The strategies put in place during the initial stages of the fire are proving successful, and operations are building on those. Heavy equipment task forces continue to construct firelines around the perimeter using dozers, skidgens, and feller bunchers. Hand crews are being strategically used to hold, maintain, and further secure lines. In addition, fire managers continue to look for opportunities to go direct, fighting the fire right on its edge when safe.

A few spot fires occurred on the north side of the fire yesterday. Firefighters utilized helicopter water drops and were able to contain them. Retardant hasn't been needed on the fire the past few days.

Today reduced winds should allow firefighters to take advantage of aviation resources if needed. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: A cold front moved into the area, causing cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and calmer winds. Temperatures will be in the upper 60s in the fire area today, with 25-30% relative humidity. Winds will be northwest 10-15 with gusts to 20 mph. Plantations on the north perimeter are still a barrier, although there has been some spotting on that edge that crews have picked up. As the wind shifts to the northwest in the next few days, there could be increased fire activity on the southwestern edge in the heavy dead and down trees. Today's rates of spread will be much less than they were in yesterday's Red Flag conditions. 

Evacuations:  Currently, there are no evacuations; however, one property is under pre-evacuation notice.

Closures: Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 210, 211, and 287 are closed to the public. The closures are for public and firefighter safety as equipment, crews and aircraft are working extensively in the area.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area, including the use of drones. Remember, if you fly, we can't. 

Smoke: Visit https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/smokeforecasts for Montana Department of Environmental Quality smoke forecasts. 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 406-272-4859| Email: 2022.lemonade@firenet.gov 

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8379/ | www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead | https://twitter.com/flatheadnf 

Total Acres: 619
Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 163

Highlights: A Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon until midnight on Wednesday due to high winds associated with an incoming cold front. This could cause more active fire behavior, including higher rates of spread and the potential for spotting. 

Operations: On the southeast corner, hand crews and equipment operators continue constructing and connecting the fireline. Although firefighters are working to limit the fire footprint, they conducted a small five-acre strategic firing operation yesterday to reduce fuels and strengthen and secure that line. The closest values at risk are to the south and southeast; therefore, there is an emphasis on that corner. 

By the end of today, fire managers plan to have a complete fireline in for Division Alpha, which runs from the southeast corner to the current northern point of the fire. Firefighters will work to strengthen it in the coming days. 

Some spotting occurred on the north point of the fire, but crews are gridding it and have been able to pick these spots up and contain them. 

Heavy equipment operators are putting in clipper lines on the southwestern half of the fire perimeter. From the mid-point of the south side to the southeast corner, firefighters are utilizing hoses and water to mop up the fire’s edge. 

Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft continue to support firefighters with water drops and reconnaissance flights.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Temperatures will be near 80 degrees in the fire area today, with relative humidity as low as 13-18%. Winds will be southwest 25-35 with gusts to 40 mph. On the north point of the fire, there has been increased fire activity with the warm and dry weather, especially where it’s moving into a change in fuel type. There is potential for fire movement to the north with the Red Flag Warning and west to southwest winds.

Evacuations:  Currently, there are no evacuations; however, one property is under pre-evacuation notice.

Closures: Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 210, 211, and 287 are closed to the public. The closures are for public and firefighter safety as equipment, crews and aircraft are working extensively in the area.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area, including the use of drones. Remember, if you fly, we can't. 

Smoke: Visit https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/smokeforecasts for Montana Department of Environmental Quality smoke forecasts. 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 406-272-4859| Email: 2022.lemonade@firenet.gov 

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8379/ | www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead | https://twitter.com/flatheadnf 

Total Acres: 593
Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 157

Highlights: While additional resources continue to come in to fight the Lemonade Fire, many other fires are burning throughout the Northern Rockies and neighboring geographic areas. Crews, equipment, aircraft, and other resources will be prioritized and coordinated throughout the region. 

A Red Flag Warning is in effect Wednesday for strong winds and low humidity. 

Operations: A heavy equipment task force and hand crews continue to make progress constructing firelines on the southeast and east sides of the fire, working north.

On the northwest perimeter, the fire has been significantly slowed in areas where slash treatment has been done in timber harvest areas. These treated areas are moderating fire behavior and helping considerably with the suppression efforts. Fire managers will seek opportunities to use heavy equipment to construct lines connecting timber plantations and other treated areas.

Yesterday air tankers conducted retardant drops on the southwest side of the fire to help slow the fire's spread. Air resources, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, will continue to support firefighters as needed.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Temperatures will be in the upper 70s in the fire area today, with relative humidity as low as 13-18%. Winds will be southwest around 6-10 with gusts to 15 mph. Areas with prior fuel treatments on the northern perimeter are contributing significantly to slowing the fire spread in that direction. Heavy dead and down timber continue to carry the fire. However, the fire is not burning as readily on northern slopes where live fuels like grass and shrubs have higher moisture levels.

Evacuations:  Currently, there are no evacuations; however, one property is under pre-evacuation notice.

Closures: Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 210, 211, and 287 are closed to the public. The closures are for public and firefighter safety as equipment, crews and aircraft are working extensively in the area.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area, including the use of drones. Remember, if you fly, we can't. 

Smoke: Visit https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/smokeforecasts for Montana Department of Environmental Quality smoke outlooks. 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 406-272-4859| Email: 2022.lemonade@firenet.gov 

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8379/ | www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead | https://twitter.com/flatheadnf 

Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 210, 211, and 287 are closed to the public. The closures are for public and firefighter safety as equipment, crews and aircraft are working extensively in the area.

Total Acres: 564
Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning

Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 173  

Highlights: Today, the Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the Lemonade Fire. The larger organization will help facilitate better logistical support for the firefighting crews. The past few days' hot and dry weather caused some fire growth. However, firefighters have progressed in getting firelines in, and more crews and resources have been ordered and are arriving daily. Air resources, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, are being utilized to aid the firefighters on the ground.

Operations: Firefighters, heavy equipment operators, and aircraft have been working on the fire. On the east perimeter, a heavy equipment line is being constructed, and firefighters are working on handline to tie it into Forest Service Road 9640. These crews were supported yesterday by helicopters conducting water drops to cool the fire's edge. Firefighters will look for opportunities to fight the fire directly in this area if it is safe, as tree snags pose a significant hazard. Yesterday on the southwestern edge, fixed-wing aircraft called Fire Bosses dropped water to slow the spread in that direction. Today on the northwest and southwest sides, fire managers will scout for opportunities to put in firelines utilizing heavy equipment and hand crews.  

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Temperatures will be in the low to mid-70s in the fire area today, with relative humidity as low as 20-25%. Winds will be southwest around 9-12 with gusts to 18 mph. The fire is most active in mature timber with heavy dead and down fuels. Live fuels like grass and shrubs are starting to cure on the southern slopes but are not significantly contributing to fire behavior, except where most exposed.  

Evacuations:  Currently, there are no evacuations; however, one property is under pre-evacuation notice. 

Closures: Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 201, 211, and 287 are closed to the public. The closures are for public and firefighter safety as equipment, crews and aircraft are working extensively in the area.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area, including the use of drones. Remember, if you fly, we can't. 

Smoke: Visit https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/smokeforecasts for Montana Department of Environmental Quality smoke outlooks. 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 406-272-4859| Email: 2022.lemonade@firenet.gov 

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8379/ | www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead | https://twitter.com/flatheadnf 

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Estimated Size:  20,821 acres                      Completion: 79%                       Personnel: 333

 

Key Message: Hazard Trees are fire-weakened or dead standing trees that have a high probability of falling over at any time posing a threat to firefighter or public safety. There are several sections of the Westside Road where the fire reached the road and has affected some standing trees, creating some hazard trees.

 

Current Status: Crews completed the chainsaw cutting work involved in thinning the vegetation along Westside Road north of Trout Creek Road. Firefighters started packing up the extra pumps and hose from structure protection locations and backhauled it to Base Camp. Mop up work continued in areas where hazard trees did not threaten the work area. Crews started cutting hazard trees in several locations along Westside Road. Minimal fire activity was observed on the Katka Fire. A new fire was detected, located 2 ½ miles southeast of Burton Peak. A hotshot squad hiked to the fire, estimated its size at .10 acre, and had it contained by the end of shift. The overnight infrared detection flight mapped an increase in size of 77 acres on the Complex.

Planned Actions: Stronger winds are predicted for today, so crews will remain alert for any change in fire activity along the fireline. Higher humidity levels may keep fire activity subdued. North of the Trout Creek Road crews will begin chipping the vegetation material that was thinned alongside the Westside Road. Mop up work will continue along the fireline south of Trout Creek Road. Firefighters will continue working on the hand fireline near Ball Creek Road. The squad will continue to mop up the new fire southeast of Burton Peak. The Katka Fire will be monitored by air. Helicopters are available for air monitoring over both fires and for water delivery as needed if the smoke conditions allow for safe flying.

Weather: The weather today will be partly sunny with some haze. Temperatures in the valley will be 65-70 degrees with minimum Relative Humidity levels of 45-50%. Winds are forecasted to increase in the afternoon to 15-20 mph as a small frontal boundary moves through the area.

Closures: Due to active fires and fire suppression activities, the Westside Road is restricted to residents-only. Additionally, the following National Forest Trails are now closed: Ball Creek Road (FR 432), Trout Creek Road (FR 634), Russell Mountain (No. 12), Russell Ridge (No. 92), Ball and Pyramid Lakes (No. 43), Pyramid Pass (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Fisher Peak (No. 27), Trout Lake (No. 41), McGinty Ridge (No. 143), Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182), Myrtle Peak Trail (No. 286), and Burton Peak Trail (No. 9).

Evacuations: There are NO Evacuations currently in place. However, those living on the Westside Road closest to Ball Creek, Burton Creek, and Clark Creek have been placed in the SET fire evacuation status. SET is the stage of readiness before an actual evacuation takes place. Residents of Boundary County, Idaho can visit https://www.nixle.com or text their home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts. To learn more about READY SET GO, visit https://bit.ly/3wi0jMu .

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a new TFR in place for air space over the Katka Fire (2-7802) and an existing TFR in place over the Russell Mountain Fire (2-1621) for aviation safety. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

  

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Estimated Size:  20,744 acres                      Completion: 79%                           Personnel: 366

 

Key Message: A common term used in wildland firefighting is mop up. Mop up is defined as extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines after an area has burned, to reduce some hazards like felling snags (hazardous fire-weakened trees), turning logs to prevent rolling, and reducing some residual smoke. Mop up is usually done by working in from the edge of the fire or fireline for a predetermined depth like 50 feet.

 

Current Status: Yesterday, thunderstorms moved over the fire area bringing both lightning and varying amounts of rain from .45 inch on the south side and .10 to .20 inch on the north side. This moisture has kept fire activity minimal but has not put the fire out. Due to wet and slippery road conditions, crews waited until the rain passed before directly engaging on the fireline at midday. Firefighters began mop up work south of Trout Creek Road and north of Ball Creek Road. Fire activity on the Katka Fire was observed as minimal. The overnight infrared detection flight did not get full coverage of the fire due to scattered cloud cover. The total increase in the size of the Complex was calculated to be 2 acres.

Planned Actions: Higher humidity levels will likely keep fire activity minimal for most of the day. Vegetation thinning work to make the line more defensible will continue along the Westside Road north of Trout Creek Road. Crews will be mopping up along the fireline south of Trout Creek Road and constructing a hand fireline near Ball Creek Road. A fair amount of lightning was seen over the Myrtle Creek drainage so that area will be checked for any new fire starts. The Katka Fire will be monitored and potential fireline locations scouted. Helicopters will be available for air monitoring over both fires and used for water delivery as needed if the smoke and weather conditions allow for safe flying.

Weather: The weather today will be mostly sunny with some haze. Temperatures in the valley will be 70-77 degrees with minimum Relative Humidity levels of 35-50%. Winds will be light from the southwest at 3-6 mph.

Closures: Due to active fires and fire suppression activities, the Westside Road is restricted to residents-only. Additionally, the following National Forest Trails are now closed: Ball Creek Road (FR 432), Trout Creek Road (FR 634), Russell Mountain (No. 12), Russell Ridge (No. 92), Ball and Pyramid Lakes (No. 43), Pyramid Pass (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Fisher Peak (No. 27), Trout Lake (No. 41), McGinty Ridge (No. 143), Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182), Myrtle Peak Trail (No. 286), and Burton Peak Trail (No. 9).

Evacuations: There are NO Evacuations currently in place. However, those living on the Westside Road closest to Ball Creek, Burton Creek, and Clark Creek have been placed in the SET fire evacuation status. SET is the stage of readiness before an actual evacuation takes place. Residents of Boundary County, Idaho can visit https://www.nixle.com or text their home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts. To learn more about READY SET GO, visit https://bit.ly/3wi0jMu .

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a new TFR in place for air space over the Katka Fire (2-7802) and an existing TFR in place over the Russell Mountain Fire (2-1621) for aviation safety. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

  

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Estimated Size:  20,742 acres                      Completion: 79%                         Personnel: 369

 

Key Message: Air quality for the last several days has been poor in the Bonners Ferry area, and while the Kootenai River Complex fires are producing smoke, the smoke from large fires in the western United States is impacting much of Idaho, Washington, and Montana. Air quality is represented by the air quality index (AQI) and includes several major air pollutants including particle pollution (also known as particulate matter and the principal public health threat from wildfire smoke). AQI of “unhealthy” to “hazardous” indicates increased risk for health effects after breathing polluted air. While respirator masks can be effective in reducing exposure to smoke particles, surgical masks, dust masks, and bandanas do not offer protection from particle pollution. Air quality monitors can be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov .

 

Current Status: Smoke filled skies and light winds kept fire activity minimal throughout the day on Tuesday. The Katka and Russell Mountain Fires continue to burn as low intensity ground fire. Crews thinned vegetation along Westside Road north of Trout Creek Road. On the east end of the Trout Creek Road firefighters held the fire at the road so fire could back slowly downhill on the north side. South of Trout Creek Road to Ball Creek Road, crews continued to hold and suppress the fire as it reached fireline and Westside Road. The overnight infrared detection flight was able to fly over the fire area last night showing an increase in size of 1,034 acres.

Planned Actions: The preparation work to thin vegetation along parts of Westside Road will continue today preparing to make the roadside more defensible for when the fire reaches the area. Crews continue to strengthen the fireline and run the pumps and sprinklers to make sure that the private structures are prepared for when the fire arrives. The fire is expected to continue backing downhill towards the Westside Road and fireline. The Katka Fire will be monitored. Helicopters are available to be used for water delivery as needed however, smoke conditions might prevent flying like the past two days.

Weather: The weather today will be partly cloudy with areas of smoke and haze. Thunderstorms are likely in the morning which may bring a small amount of rain. Temperatures in the valley will be 70-75 degrees with minimum Relative Humidity levels of 50%. Winds will be light from the southwest at 3-6 mph.

Closures: Due to active fires and fire suppression activities, the Westside Road is restricted to residents-only. Additionally, the following National Forest Trails are now closed: Ball Creek Road (FR 432), Trout Creek Road (FR 634), Russell Mountain (No. 12), Russell Ridge (No. 92), Ball and Pyramid Lakes (No. 43), Pyramid Pass (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Fisher Peak (No. 27), Trout Lake (No. 41), McGinty Ridge (No. 143), Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182), Myrtle Peak Trail (No. 286), and Burton Peak Trail (No. 9).

Evacuations: There are NO Evacuations currently in place. However, those living on the Westside Road closest to Ball Creek, Burton Creek, and Clark Creek have been placed in the SET fire evacuation status. SET is the stage of readiness before an actual evacuation takes place. Residents of Boundary County, Idaho can visit https://www.nixle.com or text their home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts.

  

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Estimated Size:  19,708 acres
Completion: 79% 
Personnel: 346

 

Key Message: Completion, a newer phrase in Wildland Fire, relates to the rate at which certain parts of the incident objectives have been completed. The completion percentage reported above represents the rate at which firelines have been completed alongside and using the Westside Road. A fireline is a line of varying width constructed in the area within or adjacent to the perimeter of an uncontrolled wildfire to create the safest and most effect area where action can be taken to contain the fire.

 

Current Status: Yesterday, smoky and hazy skies and light winds kept fire activity minimal. The Russell Mountain and Katka Fires continue to burn at low intensity with backing ground fire moving slowly downhill.

Firefighters continued to improve fireline, thin vegetation along Westside Road, and remained in place during both the day and night shifts to hold and suppress the fire as it reaches the fireline and Westside Road between Trout Creek and Ball Creek Road. Due to cloud cover, the overnight infrared detection flight was not able to fly last night and therefore no change in fire size was recorded today.

Planned Actions: Crews will continue to work along several parts of the Westside Road to thin out vegetation and make the roadside more defensible for when the fire reaches the road. The fire is expected to continue backing downhill towards the fireline and Westside Road. The Structure Protection Group will test pumps, hose, and sprinklers to make sure the areas around private structures remain prepared for when the fire arrives. The Katka Fire will be monitored throughout the day. Helicopters are available to be used for water delivery as needed however, smoke conditions will likely prevent flying.

Weather: The weather today will be cloudy with smoke and haze. The smoke might start to clear out a little by mid-afternoon. Temperatures in the valley will be 75-81 degrees with minimum Relative Humidity levels at 35-45%. Winds will be light from the south at 3-6 mph.

Closures: Due to active fires and fire suppression activities, the Westside Road is restricted to residents-only. Additionally, the following National Forest Trails are now closed: Ball Creek Road (FR 432), Trout Creek Road (FR 634), Russell Mountain (No. 12), Russell Ridge (No. 92), Ball and Pyramid Lakes (No. 43), Pyramid Pass (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Fisher Peak (No. 27), Trout Lake (No. 41), McGinty Ridge (No. 143), Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182), Myrtle Peak Trail (No. 286), and Burton Peak Trail (No. 9).

Evacuations: There are NO Evacuations currently in place. However, those living on the Westside Road closest to Ball Creek, Burton Creek, and Clark Creek have been placed in the SET fire evacuation status. SET is the stage of readiness before an actual evacuation takes place. Residents of Boundary County, Idaho can visit https://www.nixle.com or text their home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts. To learn more about READY SET GO, visit https://bit.ly/3wi0jMu .

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a TFR in place for air space over the Katka Fire (2-1234) and the Scotch Creek, Russell Mountain, Eneas Peak, and Trout Fires (2-1621) for aviation safety. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!