Wedge Canyon Complex

News Release -August 5, 2003 at 7am

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

FACT SHEET 18

Wedge Fire Information ICP 801.413.0525 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 25,225 acres Containment: 47%

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: One minor hand injury.

Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service (Flathead National Forest), Flathead County and Glacier National Park

Other Cooperating Agencies: Montana DNRC, BIA, and BLM

Resources on Fire: 34 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 64 engines, 11 dozers and 17 water tenders. Equipment used as needed includes feller bunchers, skidders and excavators. Total support and overhead positions are approximately 1,291 personnel.

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

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity assisted the firefighting efforts yesterday. Warmer weather and lower humidities are expected today.
Firefighters will continue to improve lines and mop up 100'to 200'from the fire edge.
Firefighters completed a line around the 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.
Mandatory evacuations have been reduced to precautionary from Moose Creek to the Canadian border.
Rehabilitation needs continue to be evaluated. Some rehabilitation of fire line has begun north of the TePee 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.

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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