USDA Forest Service Shield Flathead National Forest

News Release

For Immediate Release

August 25, 2003                                    Contact:  Ken Frederick   758-5252

As of today the area closure on the west side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir is being expanded further south to include the area of the West Side Reservoir Road 895 from Soldier Creek and Log Landing south to its junction with the Meadow Creek Road 2826.  Meadow Creek Road 2826 remains open providing access to the Meadow Creek and Gorge Creek Trailheads.  The East Side Reservoir Road 38 remains open to the Spotted Bear Ranger Station.

The Ball Fire is burning on the west side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir along with numerous other fires including the Beta Doris Complex and Blackfoot Lake that are all being combined into the Blackfoot Lake Complex for management purposes today.  Large numbers of crews and machinery are now being used on this fire.  This is causing much more traffic and congestion on the roads that provide access to the fire. 

The Ball Fire, burning between the Quintonkon and Ball Creek drainages on the upper west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir, was reported on the morning

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Spotted Bear Ranger District Expands Closed Area, page 2

of August 20th and had burned approximately 200 acres by this morning. 

Also, at this time the existing August 23 area and trail closure in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex from Mid Creek to the southern end of the

South Fork Flathead River drainage and the Ranger District boundary is still in effect.   The 3 miles of Trail 80 from Meadow Creek Trailhead to Mid Creek is open. The Gorge Creek Trail 218 is also open.      

Some or all of the closure areas will be removed once the public safety hazards are removed.  With fire and weather conditions such as they are, it is possible that the east side of the reservoir or other portions of the Forest could be closed on short notice.

Forest users wanting to pursue activities in the South Fork Flathead River drainage should call the Spotted Bear or Hungry Horse Ranger Districts for closure details and current conditions before heading to the area.  Call (406) 758-5376 or (406) 387-3800.

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