Wedge Canyon Complex

News Release -August 4, 2003 at 7am

Incident Information Contacts:
(406)755-3910 (voice) and (406)755-3931 (fax)

FACT SHEET 17

Contact: Flathead National Forest, Supervisor’s Office 406.758.5252,

Wedge Fire Information ICP: 801.413.0525.
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/fire/ciimt5/ac/

JIC (Joint Information Center for all fires within Glacier N.P. and Flathead N.F.) 406.755.3910

What: Wildfire, lightning-caused

Started: July 18, 2003 reported 1:25 P.M.

Location: About 20 miles east of Eureka. Montana, and 6 miles south of the Canadian border, primarily in the Teepee Creek drainage of the North Fork Flathead River.

Legal Description: Portions of T36N, T37N, R22W and R23W

Current Size: Approximately 25,224 acres

Containment: 45%

Estimated Containment Date: Unknown

Threats to Human Life/Safety: Whale Creek Residents along the North Fork Road, Trail Creek Residents (approximately 100 homes/cabins), historic buildings, and Kintla Campground

Resources Threatened: Timber, Recreation, Fisheries, Class 1 Airshed, Wild & Scenic River Corridor and Private Property.

Injuries in the last 24 hours: None

Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service (Flathead National Forest), Flathead County Fire Protection District

Other Cooperating Agencies: Montana DNRC, BIA, BLM, NPS, and Glacier National Park

Resources on Fire: 37 hand crews, 7 helicopter, 70 engines, 12 dozers, 18 water tenders, 4 feller bunchers, 6 skidders, 1 excavator, numerous support and overhead for a total of approximately 1,242 personnel.

Remarks: To date: 7 houses/cabins, 29 outbuildings were lost, and 1 house/cabin damaged.

The firefighting efforts were assisted by cooler temperatures and higher humidity yesterday. Cooler temperatures are expected again today.
Firefighters will continue to work on a 400 acre slop over across Trail Creek in the NW corner of the fire. Helicopter bucket drops were successful in that area yesterday. Lines are being completed at the head of Antley Creek.
Rehabilitation needs continue to be evaluated. Some rehabilitation of fire lines has begun north of the TeePee Lake area.
A 20 acre burnout is planned for the southwest end of the fire near Hornet Lookout, weather permitting.

Community meeting at 8:30 P.M. at Polebridge.

There is no scheduled meeting for the Wedge & Robert Fires today at Columbia Falls or West Glacier.

Glacier National Park
P.O. Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406)888-7800
(406)888-7808 - FAX
(406)888-7806 - TDD

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Flathead National Forest
1935 3^rd Avenue, East
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406)758-5200
(406)758-5363 - FAX)
(406)758-5367 - TDD)

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