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Little Salmon Creek Complex |
Incident Information Contacts:
(406)755-3910 (voice) and (406)755-3931 (fax)
What: Lightning-caused wildland fires.
Status: The Little Salmon Complex had 15 active fires. Fuels include ponderosa pine, larch, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, and whitebark pine.
Summary of Activity: With temperatures in the low 70s, relative humidity in the mid 20s and winds less than 20 mph Thursday, fires were relatively quiet. Structure protection at Spotted Bear Ranger Station, approximately 10 miles north of the Mid Fire; was strengthened and tested. The ranger station was in no immediate danger. The Leota Fire moved east and south along a ridge system, nearly doubling in size since last mapped. Fire continued to move toward Big Prairie on three sides, from the Little Salmon Creek, Bartlett Mountain, and Lime Creek fires; the structure protection system was improved. For public safety related to fires in the Blackfoot Lake Complex, both the east (#38) and west (#895) side Hungry Horse Reservoir roads remained closed south of U.S. Highway 2. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns on fires in the Little Salmon Complex.
Location: The Little Salmon Complex is located 47 miles southeast of Kalispell, Montana, in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
Current Size: Total: 43,100 acres (rounded to nearest 100). Wildland Fire Use fires in the complex: Little Salmon Creek: 25,942 ac.; Pagoda Mountain: 320 ac.; Lime Creek: 1,457 ac.; Independence Park: 51 ac.; Salmon Point: 0.1 ac.; Casey Creek: 16 ac.; South Spud: 0.1 ac.; Some Creek (suppression fire), Una (suppression fire), and Bartlett Mountain joined as one on Tuesday: 5,695 ac.; Little Hammer: 1 ac. Suppression fires larger than 15 acres in the complex: Black Bear Mountain (absorbed into Mid), Mid: 8,469 ac.; Leota Peak: 1,064; High: 120 ac.; Molly Creek: 39. The complex also has 14 closed/inactive fires.
Concerns: Firefighter and public safety, aviation, and the effects of smoke on surrounding communities.
Resource Benefits: Preserving natural processes will be the key benefit of restoring fire to the wilderness. In addition, this fire will help to minimize future threats to firefighters and wilderness users by reducing fuel buildup. Future fire size and intensity will be reduced.
Trail Closures: The Spotted Bear River drainage; access to trailheads for Meadow Creek and Gorge Creek. South Fork Flathead River drainage of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Also, trails #83, #87, #88, #89, #90, #102, upper end of #112, #173, #176, #177, #243, #359, and #584 in the Silvertip area.
Although Wilderness Lodge, Diamond R Guest Ranch, Spotted Bear Ranch, and Spotted Bear Ranger Station remained open, along with seven miles of the South Fork of the Flathead River outside the wilderness, from Spotted Bear Ranger Station to Hungry Horse Reservoir, closure of the east and west side roads along Hungry Horse Reservoir left then inaccessible from U.S. Highway 2.
The Rocky Mountain Ranger District of the Lewis and Clark National Forest has closed several trails east of the Little Salmon Creek Complex: #202 from the junction of #226 to its southern terminus; #219 from the junction with #229 to the Forest boundary at Red Mountain; #226 from the Continental Divide to the junction with #202; #266 from the junction with #229 to the Forest boundary at the Continental Divide; #227 from the Continental Divide to the junction with #202; #229 from the Lewis and Clark National Forest boundary 1 mile south of County Road 577 (Dearborn River Road) to the Forest boundary at the Continental Divide; #246 from the Continental Divide to the junction with #202; #248; #247; Indian Creek #211; Ahorn Creek #209; and East Fork Ahorn #225.
All Helena National Forest lands north of Montana Highway 200, including the portion of the Scapegoat Wilderness on the Helena National Forest, remained closed.
Closures will be lifted once public safety hazards are removed. Ensure you are aware of current restrictions and closures before you head outdoors.
Trailheads for Monture; North Fork Blackfoot; Benchmark; West, Middle, and South forks of the Teton River; Morrison Creek; and Bear Creek can still be used to access open areas.
The Small Business Administration approved a disaster declaration, allowing qualified small businesses affected by the fires and closures to apply for assistance.
Jurisdiction: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service - Flathead National Forest, Spotted Bear Ranger District.
Resources on Fire: Dick Rath’s interagency fire use team is managing the complex. District and other resource overhead and field people continued making visitor contacts and implementing structure protection measures on administrative cabins. Approximately 72 ersonnel worked directly related to this fire complex.
Remarks:
8/27 evening ~ 40,000 acres. Breezy westerly winds with gusts into the upper 30s failed Wednesday afternoon to produce a repeat of the intense fire activity seen early Tuesday afternoon through 2 a.m. Wednesday. The extreme fire behavior Wednesday saw the Some Creek, Una, and Bartlett fires burn together into what is now called Barsomuna Fire. A Red Flag Warning was cancelled late Wednesday, although humidity was down to 11 percent and temperatures were in the mid 70s. Structure protection was reinforced at Spotted Bear Ranger Station, approximately 10 miles north of the Mid Fire; the ranger station was in no immediate danger. To ensure public safety related to fires in the Blackfoot Lake Complex, the west side Hungry Horse Reservoir road (#895) remained closed from U.S. Highway 2 south to its junction with the Meadow Creek Road (#2826). Meadow Creek Road (#2826) remained open. The east-side Hungry Horse Reservoir road (#38) was closed late Wednesday due to extreme fire behavior on the Beta Lake Fire near Hungry Horse, part of the Blackfoot Lake Complex. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns on fires in the Little Salmon Complex.
· 8/27 morning ~ 38,500 acres. Breezy westerly winds with gusts to 35 mph were expected to continue through Wednesday evening – part of a Red Flag Warning. Rain sprinkles were reported across the southern portion of the complex Wednesday morning. Winds up to 30 mph Tuesday combined with temperatures near 90 and relative humidity less than 10 percent to push intense fire through heavy dead and down fuel. Similar conditions were expected Wednesday. Pumps for structure protection were being refueled at Salmon Forks and Black Bear backcountry cabins, where they were started Tuesday afternoon. Large smoke plumes from the Una Fire were visible Tuesday from the Swan Valley, but the fire was at least 10 miles east of Holland Lake and moving east-northeast. The southern edge of the Lime Creek Fire reached the Big Prairie backcountry cabin, but it didn’t damage any structures. Structure protection at Spotted Bear Ranger Station, approximately 10 miles north of the Mid Fire, was being strengthened Wednesday. The lookout on Spotted Bear Lookout was to be returned to the mountain Wednesday, after being removed late Tuesday as a safety precaution with the growth of the Mid Fire. The fire crossed Jack Creek in at least one spot. To ensure public safety related to the Little Salmon Complex and other fires in the area, the west side Hungry Horse Reservoir road (#895) remained closed from U.S. Highway 2 south to its junction with the Meadow Creek Road (#2826) due to the Beta Lake Doris Ridge fires near Hungry Horse Dam and the Ball Fire between Ball and Quintonkon creeks. Meadow Creek Road (#2826) remains open. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns.
· 8/26 ~ 35,000 acres. Winds up to 30 mph combined with temperatures near 90 and relative humidity less than 10 percent to push intense fire through heavy dead and down fuel. Flame lengths between 100 and 200 feet were common. Firefighters were flown into backcountry cabins at Salmon Forks and Black Bear to start pumps that are part of the structure protection systems; then, the firefighters were flown out. By the end of the day, everyone was in safe locations. The intense fire activity started in early afternoon and continued into the evening, making it impossible to get accurate acreages for the fires. Large smoke plumes boiled into the sky from several fires, including Line, Una, Mid, Independence, Bartlett, Leota, and Some Creek. Near sunset, Una produced an enormous column of smoke. The lookout stationed at Spotted Bear Lookout was flown out late Tuesday as a precaution with the growth in the Mid Fire, which was still an estimated 5 miles from the fire. Winds were expected to continue through Wednesday - part of a Red Flag Warning. Structure protection at Spotted Bear Ranger Station will be strengthened Wednesday; the nearest fire, Mid, is approximately 10 miles south of the ranger station. Structure protection will continue at Big Prairie, Salmon Forks, and Black Bear backcountry cabins. Mid Fire burned out Mid Creek canyon and spotted into Lost Jack Creek. Little Salmon Fire was very active in White River, Little Salmon, Big Salmon, and Holbrook drainages. To ensure public safety related to the Little Salmon Complex and other fires in the area, the west side Hungry Horse Reservoir road (#895) remained closed from U.S. Highway 2 south to its junction with the Meadow Creek Road (#2826) due to the Doris Beta Complex of fires near Hungry Horse Dam and the Ball Fire between Ball and Quintonkon creeks. Meadow Creek Road (#2826) remains open. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns.
· 8/25 ~ 31,658 acres (no new perimeter data collected). Warm, dry weather returned with light winds Monday, sparking an increase in fire activity. Isolated areas of open flame were observed on several fires, and activity was observed in several areas previously relatively inactive. Most of the flame lengths were 3-6 feet, although 100- to 200-foot flame lengths were seen late in the afternoon on the Lime Fire. The Little Salmon Fire moved into part of the 1985 Charlotte Peak fire, and it backed into areas of dead and down fuels. The west side Hungry Horse Reservoir road (#895) is now closed from U.S. Highway 2 south to its junction with the Meadow Creek Road (#2826) due to the Doris Beta Complex of fires near Hungry Horse Dam and the Ball Fire between Ball and Quintonkon creeks. Meadow Creek Road (#2826) remains open. This is a southward expansion of the closure. Structure protection was completed at Pentagon backcountry cabin. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns.
· 8/24 ~ 31,658 acres. After a couple days of mostly cloudy skies and good humidity due to scattered showers, minimal fire activity was observed. The west side Hungry Horse Reservoir road (#895) remained closed due to the Doris and Beta fires near Hungry Horse Dam and the Ball Fire between Ball and Quintonkon creeks. Trail closures in the Bob Marshall Wilderness remained in effect for the safety of backcountry travelers and so scarce resources can concentrate on fires. Structure protection at Pentagon backcountry cabin started, and it is expected to take a couple days. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns.
· 8/23 6:30 p.m. ~ 30,906 acres. Cool, humid conditions - thanks to .13 inch of scattered light rain late Friday night and early Saturday – helped hold down fire activity to creeping and backing. Visibility dramatically increased after the rain. The west side Hungry Horse Reservoir road (#895) remained closed due to the Doris and Beta fires near Hungry Horse Dam and the Ball Fire between Ball and Quintonkon creeks. Trail closures in the Bob Marshall Wilderness remained in effect for the safety of backcountry travelers and so scarce resources can concentrate on fires. Structure protection was completed at the Silvertip backcountry cabin Saturday. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns.
· 8/23 10:30 a.m. ~ 30,906 acres. Scattered light rain continued early Saturday, with .13 inch recorded at Spotted Bear Ranger Station overnight. The moisture kept fire activity low. Public access to the Spotted Bear Ranger Station, including the Incident Command Post at Spotted Bear, was reestablished with the opening of the road (#38) along the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir. The west side reservoir road (#895) remained closed due to the Doris and Beta fires near Hungry Horse Dam and the Ball Fire between Ball and Quintonkon creeks. Trail closures in the Bob Marshall Wilderness remained in effect for the safety of backcountry travelers and so scarce resources can concentrate on fires. Structure protection was expected to be completed at the Silvertip backcountry cabin Saturday; and structure protection work on the Pentagon back country cabin was expected to start. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns.
· 8/23 6:30 a.m. ~ 30,906 acres. Scattered light rain continued early Saturday, with .13 inch recorded at Spotted Bear Ranger Station overnight. The moisture kept fire activity to a minimum. Access to the Spotted Bear Incident Command Post at Spotted Bear Ranger Station remained closed due to a road closures between the ranger station and U.S. Highway 2. The road along the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir was closed Friday because of the possible spread of the Doris and Beta fires on the west side of the reservoir near Hungry Horse Dam. Those two fires forced the closure of the west side road earlier. Trail closures in the Bob Marshall Wilderness remained in effect for the safety of backcountry travelers and so scarce resources can concentrate on fires. Structure protection was expected to be completed at the Silvertip backcountry cabin Saturday; and structure protection work on the Pentagon back country cabin was expected to start. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns.
· 8/22 ~ 31,658 acres. Smoky and overcast skies kept fire activity to a minimum most of Friday. Flame lengths of 1-3 feet in the surface fuels, with occasional torching, were observed. Parts of the area received light rain in the late afternoon. Access to the Spotted Bear Incident Command Post at Spotted Bear Ranger Station was closed due to a road closure on the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir in anticipation of spread of the Doris and Beta fires on the west side of the reservoir near Hungry Horse Dam; it joined the earlier closure of the west side road along the reservoir. Additional trail closures went into effect Friday for the safety of backcountry travelers and so scarce resources can concentrate on fires.
· 8/21 ~ 25,454 acres. With numerous new fires in the region, additional trail closures went into effect Thursday for the safety of backcountry travelers and so scarce resources can concentrate on fires. The Mid Fire increased by more than 2,000 acres. Fires being managed for fire use continued to grow and to burn as expected for these events. Suppression of other fires was occurring where appropriate. In coordination with the Rocky Mountain Ranger District of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, plans were being initiated to suppress the High Fire between Ayers Peak and Sugarloaf Mountain. Inaccessibility, steep terrain, extreme fire weather, and extremely dry fuels continued to be concerns. Total acres: 25,454 acres. Little Salmon Creek: 20,891 ac.; Pagoda Mountain: 309 ac.; Lime Creek: 582 ac.; Independence Peak: 20 ac.; Salmon Point: 0.1 ac.; Casey Creek: 15 ac.; South Spud: .25 ac.; Bartlett Mountain: 2 ac.; Little Hammer: .25 ac. Wildland suppression fires: Some Creek: 314 ac.; Mid: 2,620 ac.; Leota: 400.
· 8/20 ~ 22,744 acres. With light winds and dry conditions, fire spread increased Wednesday. Additional trail closures take effect Thursday. The Little Salmon Creek complex now includes 22 fires; eight of them are being managed as fire use fires for resource benefits: Little Salmon Creek, Pagoda Mountain, Lime Creek, Independence Peak, Salmon Point, Casey Creek, South Spud, Bartlett Mountain. Two are proposed for fire use, and the remainder are in suppression strategy. The remaining fires are less than 15 acres, except for Some Creek, Mid, and Leota fires. Three new fires were reported Wednesday from numerous lightning strikes overnight: High, Schafer, and East Crimson.
· 8/19 ~ 21,404 acres. Fire activity increased, with open flames observed. The Lime Creek Fire made a small slope run. The Little Salmon and Mid fires have been moderately active. Fire spread and aviation activity generally have been limited by humidity and smoke from the Crazy Horse Fire near Condon. The fires being managed for fire use continue to burn as expected for these events. Wildfire activity around the Bob Marshall Wilderness area continues to be a challenge as fires are hard to detect due to smoke. Fires are burning in steep and rugged terrain.
· 8/18 ~ The Little Salmon and Mid fires have been moderately active. Fire spread and aviation activity have been limited by humidity and smoke from the Crazy Horse Fire near Condon. The fires being managed for fire use continue to burn as expected for these events. Wildfire activity around the Bob Marshall Wilderness area continues to be a challenge as fires are hard to detect due to smoke and are burning in steep and rugged terrain.
· 8/16 ~ 19,000 acres. Little Salmon Creek Complex includes 19 fires. Seven are fire use fires: Little Salmon Creek, Pagoda Mountain, Lime Creek, Charlotte, Independence, Salmon Point, and Casey Creek. The wildland fires are 15 acres or less except for the Some Creek and Mid Fires. The fire use fires are being managed to accomplish resource benefits. The wildfires, which are lightning-caused ignitions, are being managed as suppression fires because of potential effects to recreation values and the other ongoing fire activity.
· 8/15 ~ 18,334 acres. The Little Salmon Complex is currently comprised of 19 fires. Seven of them are fire use fires and are being managed for resource benefit. Fire activity today was moderately active but fire spread and aviation were both moderated somewhat by smoke from the adjacent Crazy Horse fire. Cabin protection and appropriate management responses were the primary activities.
· 8/14 ~ 18,334 acres. Two new, very small fire use fires (1 acre or less) were detected today. Fire behavior was rather subdued today due to an inversion below 6000 feet. A new trail closure from Upper Holland Lake to the west side of the South Fork Trail south of Big Prairie is in effect today, due to the fire activity. Cabin protection measures and appropriate fire use management responses were the primary activities.
· 8/12 ~ 18,237 acres. Infrared reconnaissance of the area occurred last night resulting in a more accurate acreage estimate. Smoke covered the fire for most of the day making for a quiet day on the fire. On the south end of the Little Salmon Creek fire, the fire burned southwest toward Charlotte Peak, and southeast up White River. Structure protection on administrative cabins completed. A fire was reported late in the day at Leota Peak.
· 8/11 ~ 18,100 acres. Most of today’s fire activity occurred north and east of the White River on the southeast corner of the Little Salmon Creek Fire. Large areas of unburned ground still exist throughout the fire’s perimeter. (increases in acres due to better mapping)
· 8/10 ~ 14,345 acres. The fire is generally moving into the wind to the west, moving with the wind to the east in the vicinity of White River and Charlotte Peak. The fire is backing west to Charlotte Peak and moving east into the junction of the White River and South Fork Flathead River. Molly Creek fire was detected today in the upper White River and it was determined to be a suppression fire. Several other ignitions have recently become active. Many are being suppressed. Those that are not are expected to burn into the larger Little Salmon Creek Fire. The fire is mostly in and around the South Fork drainage between Big Prairie and Black Bear.
· 8/9 ~14,300 acres estimated. On the south end of Little Salmon fire, some fire activity burning up Holbrook Creek and White River. Structure protection ongoing. From 8/5-8/9 received 13 lightning starts- 9 are suppression fires, 4 are Fire Use Fires. The Fire Use Fires are located near the Little Salmon Fire and are likely to be consumed by the main fire. In the same time frame, 5 lightning starts outside the wilderness were suppressed. One new initial attack fire outside the wilderness last night.
· 8/9 ~ 152 acres Pagoda – little change in fire. Lookouts posted on Pagoda Mountain to observe fire behavior removed today due to low fire activity.
· 8/8 ~14,300 acres estimated. On south end of Little Salmon Fire, east and west edges show the most heat. Structure protection work complete at Black Bear. Structure protection work to begin on Shaw, Pendant, Hahn and Basin Cabins tomorrow. Some Creek grew to 150 acres. Una and Charlotte are still spots. New lightning starts discovered on Gordon Creek, Independence Park, Salmon Point, and Limestone. 77 people on fire. Non-wilderness fires on Cedar Creek, Lake, North Lake, and Divine Peak. The first 3 were suppressed today.
· 8/8 151 acres Pagoda – little change in fire. More precipitation in the past few days has slowed progress of fire.
· 8/7 ~14,300 acres estimated. On south end of Little Salmon Fire, east and west edges grew maybe 100 acres. New fire starts discovered on Charlotte, Some Creek, and Una. Dick Rath Wilderness Fire Use Management Team assumed command of complex. Structure protection work complete at Indian Point and Rock Creek Cabins. Work almost completed at Black Bear and Big Prairie. 44 people on fire.
· 8/6 ~14,300 acres estimated, winds up to 49 mph blew last night, with 0.24" rain at Big Prairie and 0.10" at Spotted Bear. Little Salmon not much increase in size. 44 people on fire. Lightning caused starts in wilderness at Meadow Mountain, Cathedral, and 2 on Black Bear Mountain. Non-wilderness fires on Stoney Mountain and Horse Ridge. All are suppression fires.
· 8/6 151 acres Pagoda – little change in fire. Lookouts flown into Pagoda Mountain to monitor fire.
· 8/5 11,789 acres (net decrease in acres due to better mapping) Little Salmon Creek - fire grew slightly west, north of Holbrook Creek, and east on Pine Creek. Crews continue implementing structure protection plans on Big Prairie and Indian Point Cabin.
Community meetings: none scheduled.
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