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Blackfoot Lake Complex Fact Sheet

Flathead National Forest

Blackfoot Lake Complex Fire Information

Flathead National Forest

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September 3, 2003   7:00 a.m.

Fire Name:      Blackfoot Lake Complex                

Date and Time of Fire Start:  August 20, 2003  1:54 pm

Joint Information Center: (406) 755-3910 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.  Blackfoot Lake Fire Information 387-4609

Location: 19 Miles East of Kalispell, Montana

Kind of Fuels: Mixed Conifer

Cause: Lightning                                 

Size:  Total Acreage-19,312

Individual Fires: Beta-1,228, Doris-2950, Blackfoot Lake-2386, Dead Buck-11, Doe-1003, Wounded Buck-40, Wildcat, Upper Lid, Ball-2,323, Mid-9,371             

Weather Conditions:  A ridge of high pressure held the inversion layer in place throughout the day on most of the fire areas.

Fire Behavior: Creeping and torching was observed prior to the lifting of the inversion. The Ball fire made a significant run in the late afternoon. Wednesday’s forecast calls for the possibility of more active fire behavior. 

Agency Jurisdiction: U. S. Forest Service, Flathead National Forest

Cooperating Agencies: BLM, BIA, FS, FWS, NPS, State of Montana, Flathead County

Estimated Containment: 7 percent    

Estimated Containment Date: September 30, 2003 

Incident Commander: H. Mortier/P. O’Bannon  

Equipment and Personnel: 52 hand crews,  1 helicopter, 24 engines, 6 water tenders, 13 pieces of heavy equipment (includes dozers and feller bunchers), 170 overhead personnel. Several helicopters were shared with the Robert incident.

Total Number of Personnel: 1,307

Threats: Powerlines and communication facilities, two recreation areas, residences in Hungry Horse and Martin City.  Coram Experimental Forest and Research Natural Area. Recreational cabins on Spotted Bear Ranger District.  

Structures Destroyed: None

Injuries this period: 2                                 

Injuries to Date: 18                           

Cost to date: $6,212,403     

Special Information:  Due to the extended driving time from the Blackfoot command post and the increase in assigned personnel, a full fire camp is being established south of the Ball Fire to support the additional assigned resources.

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