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Flathead National Forest |
News Release For Immediate Release |
September 8, 2003
Contact: Dale Luhman (406)758-5376
East Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road 38 Reopens
[Map of Area - (PDF: 246kb)]
Effective this morning the East Side Reservoir Road 38 was opened from the end of the pavement in Martin City to Spotted Bear Ranger Station. Recent fire activity has lowered on the Ball Fire, part of the Blackfoot Lake Complex, and the Mid fire, and the current fire risk has dropped. We have determined that the East Side Reservoir Road 38 could be safely opened. Also, the Spotted Bear River Road 568 has reopened to Beaver Creek Campground. The seasonal road closures effective September 1st for the Spotted Bear River Road from Beaver Creek Campground to the east, and the Big Bill Road 9856 are now in effect. The Spotted Bear River Trail 83 is open for 1.5 mile to Blue Lakes. East of Blue Lakes, the Spotted Bear River and Dean Creek drainages are closed. The area south of Spotted Bear River also remains closed. The West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir closure from Highway 2 to the Wilderness boundary at Meadow Creek Trailhead remains closed.
Spotted Bear Ranger Station received 2/10 inch of rain and Big Prairie has gotten 7/100 inch of rain in the past 12 hours. The precipitation appears to be scattered and fuels still remain very dry. Fire danger is still very high. On the Spotted Bear Ranger District in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, the entire South Fork Flathead River drainage is still closed to entry. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River drainage in the Wilderness remains open. The fire activity, weather, and safety are being evaluated daily so that consideration can be given to the opening and closing of areas due to the various fires. As things change, we will continue to notify the public. We recommend that all visitors to the National Forest check with the local office before making plans for a visit.
For more information about closures associated with these fires, please call the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 406-758-5376 or visit the following websites:
www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/fire/new/fire_index.htm
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