There are currently 11 fires burning on the Lewis & Clark National Forest. Most are very small, and all were caused by lightning in early August.

A firefighter works on the Haywood Creek fire 8-21-15 (USFS Photo)
A firefighter works on the Haywood Creek fire 8-21-15 (USFS Photo)
loading...

Current Status of the Family Creek Complex: Total acres – 698 (more accurate mapping from infrared 8/20)

Fires are currently creeping and smoldering. Structure protection established at Badger cabin.

Spotted Eagle – The fire is burning in steep remote terrain in heavy timber. When first reported by fixed wing aircraft at 4:00 pm on Aug 12, it was ½ acre. By 7:00 pm the fire was well established and actively burning at approx. 100 acres. On 8/14, due to the strong winds and dry conditions, the fire increased to 480 acres.

· Muskrat Pass – Detected Aug 12. Fire is actively burning in steep, remote terrain and heavy timber. Current size 14 acres.

· Mt. Poia – Detected on Aug 13. The fire is burning in heavy timber surrounded by rock in steep remote terrain. Current size is 203 acres.

· Haywood Cr. – Detected by infrared flight 8/20. Fire is about 1 mile west of the Forest boundary in the head of Haywood Creek. Fire was initial attacked by District fire personnel & a helitak crew. Line was established around the perimeter and the crew spent the night at the fire. Approx. – .2 acre.

Other fires on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District (Choteau/Augusta):

A helicopter has been reassigned from Lincoln to be based in Choteau to help with the fires.

  • Straight Creek – tried to use smokejumpers 8/15, but they were unable to jump the fire because of strong winds; a helicopter made several water drops on 8/16; a hand crew hiked in to the fire on Monday and completed mop-up and control. Fire estimated at 0.10 acre.
  • Moose Ridge – 3 small fires; low activity; has some potential to spread; installing structure protection at Gates Park Cabin and Gates Park pack bridge and Cabin Creek cabin.
  • Miner’s Creek – new fire detected; added to the Moose Ridge group
  • Elbow Pass - low activity, surrounded by old burns; unstaffed; monitor status
  • Ellis Creek – low activity, surrounded by old burns; unstaffed; monitor status
  • Sugarloaf – low activity, surrounded by old burns; unstaffed; monitor status
  • Three Sisters – Fire originated in the Flathead NF. As of 8/13, the fire has expanded and crossed the Divide at Sock Lake on the RMRD. Structure protection has been installed at Rock Creek cabin. The fire has not yet burned down to the North Wall Trail.

Weather:

Dry and warmer conditions return Sunday. Beginning Monday highs are expected to again be in the low 80’s for the remainder of the week.

Current Trail Closures:

Rocky Mountain Ranger District

#104 – S. Fork Badger closed in its entirety

#111 – Rock Creek closed in its entirety

#121 – N. Fork Birch Creek (West of junction w/ Trail #122)

#130 – Red Shale closed in its entirety

#131 – Moose Creek (East from point north of mouth of Three Lakes Creek to North Fork Sun River)

#144 – Goat Mountain closed in its entirety

#145 – Muskrat Creek closed in its entirety

#146 – Crucifixion Creek closed in its entirety

#147 – Badger Pass closed in its entirety

#166 – Gates-Moose closed in its entirety

#174 – North Wall (S of junction w/ Trl #151)

#261 – Moose-Furman (for ~2 miles south from junction w/ Moose Ck #131)

Spotted Bear Ranger District

#147 – Muskrat Creek closed in its entirety

#161 – Strawberry Creek (from junction of #478 to #147)

#175 – Cox Creek (from junction of #338 to #147)

#338 – Cap Mountain (from junction of #478 the end)

 

 

More From KSEN AM 1150