Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest Fires
Robert Fire-Trapper Creek, Middle Fork
and Rampage Fire Complexes
Robert Fire Information 406/892-0946
For Road Closure & Evacuation Information:
Flathead County OES Public Information Line: 406/758-5606
Within the Complexes, 10 fires are burning for a total of 101,921 acres. The smoke inversion will lift in early afternoon. When the inversion lifts (after 1pm), all fires will become active especially on the Middle Fork and Rampage Complexes. Expect to see water-dropping helicopters cooling down hot spots. Suppression priorities are to prevent fire from crossing the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and to diminish the threat to structures in Pinnacle and Essex; to stop the westerly spread of the Belton Fire towards West Glacier; and to keep the Rampage Complex from spotting over the Continental Divide.
The Robert Fire is located in Flathead County, about 8 miles north of Columbia Falls, Montana. ± Most of the Robert Fire remains in patrol and mop-up status. Helicopter water drops cooled several hot spots along the southwestern edge. The center of the fire moved north toward the Huckleberry Lookout Trail. The northeast corner also moved north toward Mount Vaught. Suppression strategies include working and securing the line at the north end of the fire near Mount Vaught.
Today’s Reported Acreage: 52,648 acres. Yesterdays reported acres: 52,648
Containment: 60%
Expected Date of Containment: 10/01/2003
Date started and cause: Started July 23 at about 4:30 pm; cause under
investigation
These fires started 15 miles east of West Glacier, Montana, north of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. ± The Double Mountain fire continued to back down the slope toward the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. It also moved into the St. Nicholas basin, and further into the upper Nyack drainage. A great deal of smoke could be seen from U.S. 2; traffic was occasionally halted while helicopters carrying retardant flew overhead. Today, when the fire becomes active, water-dropping helicopters will be used to cool down hot spots and prevent the spread of the fire across the river.
Today’s Reported Acreage: 20,526 acres (Double Mountain –20,126 acres; Riverview 1 – 40 acres; Riverview 2 – 360 acres). Yesterdays reported acres: 20,434
Containment: 0%
Expected Date of Containment: 10/01/2003
Date started and cause: Started August 19 at 10:00 pm; lightning
This complex is located three miles east of West Glacier, Montana, north of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. ± Helicopter water and retardant drops were made on the Belton Fire. Smoke could be seen from West Glacier, but did not move further west. The Center and Harrison fires have joined, and moved briskly toward Harrison Lake. The Harrison fire also has reached the Middle Fork of the Flathead River; at this time, there is no adequate anchor point for firefighters to use in order to build line safely at the fires edge. The Center fire also continued to slowly back down the slope.
Today’s Reported Acreage: 9,640 acres (Belton Fire – 911 acres; Center – Harrison Fire – 8,729 acres). Yesterdays reported acres: 7,598.
Containment: 5%
Expected Date of Containment: 10/01/2003
Date started and cause: Started August 19 at 10:00 pm; lightning
The Trapper Creek Complex is located in Flathead County 45 miles northeast of Kalispell, Montana in Glacier National Park ± The fire continues to be active on the southwest corner and is being monitored.
Today’s Reported Acreage: 19,107 acres. Yesterdays reported acres: 19,107 (Trapper Creek fire).
Containment: 45 %
Expected Date of Containment: 10/01/2003
Date started and cause: started July 16 at about 2:00 am; lightning.
The Robert Complex has the following resources: 20-Person Fire Crews – 9; Helicopters – 5; Engines – 22; Bulldozers – 13; Water tenders – 1; Total Personnel – 615
Firefighting resources are moved to priority areas within the complex, as the situation requires.
No public meetings are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. A public meeting is scheduled for 7pm in Browning at the Blackfeet Nation tribal headquarters.
There is a potential for increased fire activity today when the smoke lifts in late afternoon. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow, but a cold front with strong winds is predicted to move into the area on Sunday afternoon with rain following.
Blackfeet Nation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Canadian Park Service, National Park Service, National Weather Service, Department of Defense, Montana DNRC, Montana National Guard, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services, Fire Departments of Flathead County, Burlington Northern Railroad.
National Park Areas: There are several closures and restrictions of trails and facilities within Glacier National Park. For more information and up to date conditions, contact the park at 406-888-7800 or check www.nps.gov/glac
National Forest Areas: The burned area between Big Creek and Glacier Rim remains closed to public use, including the North Fork road and National Forest lands on the west side of the road. For more information, contact the Forest Service Ranger Station at 406-387-3800.
Other Areas:
[ Back to Top ]
| Glacier
National Park |
Flathead National Forest |