INCIDENT UPDATE

An infrared mapping flight yesterday reinforced that the fire is still holding heat, even after wetting rain this past weekend. Areas of heat include the SW corner, and the eastern edge. A prescribed burn from 2018 abuts the fire in this southeast corner of the fire, and removed much of the duff layer, helping with fire containment in this area.

Potential for fire spread early this week is low, but fuels will dry out as the week progresses. Crews continue to secure the more active fire areas and are brushing the Red Meadow Road heading west and are close to being finished with the structural defense plan in the evacuation zone.

With the advent of better weather, two Black Hawk helicopters assigned to the incident will take a more active role. There will be a community meeting at the Sondreson Hall on Wednesday, August 11, at 6:00 pm.

Montana is experiencing EXTREME fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect with campfires prohibited. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for additional Montana fire restrictions.

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Warnings include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier National Park north of Logging Creek. See details at https://go.usa.gov/xFjcA and Current Fire Information – Glacier National Park.

CLOSURES

Road and trail closures are in place. See details at InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7712/62192/.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 10

Here’s the latest Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map showing fire extent, closures and current evacuation zone boundaries . . .

PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hay-Creek-Fire-–-updated-Public-Information-Map-for-August-10.pdf

INCIDENT UPDATE

An inch of rain fell across the fire over the weekend. Crews are using mechanical equipment to reduce fuels along the Spruce Creek Road and reinforcing shaded fuel breaks being used as contingency lines. Hand prep work is being done along the Red Meadow Road to use as an egress route in case of an evacuation in the area south of the fire. Aircraft did not fly yesterday due to weather.

No additional fire spread was seen on Sunday due to rain. Today the fire will continue to be active only in more sheltered areas that received less moisture, with heavy fuels that are still holding heat. A recon flight is scheduled to happen today to assess the fire. Resources at risk, including private structures and cultural and natural resources in both the Park and Forest continue to be assessed and protected. There will be a community meeting at the Sondreson Hall on Wednesday, August 11, at 6:00 pm.

Montana is experiencing EXTREME fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect with campfires prohibited. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for additional Montana fire restrictions.

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Warnings include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier National Park north of Logging Creek. See details at https://go.usa.gov/xFjcA and Current Fire Information – Glacier National Park.

CLOSURES

Road and trail closures are in place. See details at InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7712/62192/.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 9

Here’s the latest Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map showing fire extent, closures and current evacuation zone boundaries . . .

PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Public-Information-Map-for-August-9-2021.pdf

INCIDENT UPDATE

The Hay Creek Road fireline held well yesterday with the increased winds. Efforts continued to secure the more active SW edge of the fire along an avalanche chute, with a crew working this area Saturday. Some increased fire activity was seen yesterday in both edges of the fire off the Hay Creek Road, due to winds and low humidity. Strategies for fire suppression have kept fire growth minimal with 150 acres added to the fire area in the last two days.

Today crews will be improving line on the north end of the Spruce Creek area. Contingency line running north to south have been completed to the east of the fire, from the Cyclone peak area to just south of Spruce Creek. Helicopter bucket drops were again used to cool the SE area of the fire that continues to hold heat.

There are around 280 structures in the Polebridge community that are being mapped for evacuation planning purposes. There will be a community meeting at the Sondreson Hall on Wednesday, August 11, 6:00 pm.

Montana is experiencing EXTREME fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect with campfires prohibited. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for additional Montana fire restrictions.

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Warnings include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier National Park north of Logging Creek. See details at https://go.usa.gov/xFjcA and Current Fire Information – Glacier National Park.

CLOSURES

Road and trail closures are in place. See details at InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7712/62192/.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 8

Here’s the latest Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map showing fire extent, closures and current evacuation zone boundaries. Note that containment is up slightly at 23%. The fire grew a bit yesterday and is now 2894 acres (1171ha), 191 acres larger than the previous official estimate . . .

PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hay-Creek-Fire-Public-Information-Map-for-August-8-2021.pdf

As of this evening’s (August 7) flight, the Hay Creek Fire was at a calculated 2894 acres (1171ha) based on the infrared image. This is up about 191 acres from the last official estimate . . .

INCIDENT UPDATE

Operations to reinforce the Hay Creek road have succeeded in creating a defensible fireline along the road and the avalanche chute along the west side of the fire. Crews will continue to mop up this southern edge and move the major focus to reinforcing the fireline in the Spruce Creek area with heavy equipment.

Both ends of the fire that are tied into the Hay Creek Road remain active, with a minimal rate of spread. Friday’s increased winds created visible smoke in these areas, with heavy fuels continuing to burn that were not extinguished by the rain last week. Although some increased fire behavior was seen Friday afternoon and evening due to increased winds, cooler temperatures and smokey conditions that reduce solar heat on the fire have helped keep fire spread minimal. Helicopter bucket drops Friday were effective in cooling the most active areas of the fire to the east.

Montana is experiencing EXTREME fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect with campfires prohibited. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for additional Montana fire restrictions.

EVACUATIONS

Evacuation Warnings include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier National Park north of Logging Creek. See details at https://go.usa.gov/xFjcA and Current Fire Information – Glacier National Park.

CLOSURES

Road and trail closures are in place. See details at InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7712/62192/.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

Continue reading Hay Creek Fire – Incident Update for August 7

Here’s the latest Hay Creek Fire Public Information Map showing fire extent, closures and current evacuation zone boundaries . . .

PDF version: https://nflandowners.org/nflawp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Hay-Creek-Fire-Public-Information-Map-for-August-7-2021.pdf