Wedge Canyon Complex

News Release -August 9, 2003 at 7am

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

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FACT SHEET 22

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 25,725 acres

Containment: 65%

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 and Glacier National Park

Other Cooperating Agencies: Montana DNRC, BIA, and BLM

Resources on Fire: 29 hand crews, 11 helicopters, 54 engines, 5 dozers and 21 water tenders. Equipment used as needed includes feller bunchers, skidders and excavators. Total support and overhead positions are approximately 1,199 personnel.

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

• Crews are cold trailing and mopping up in most divisions.
• Rehabilitation work continues.
• Control lines inside Glacier National Park are being constructed using fireline explosives to prevent the fire from spreading north into Canada.
• The North Fork Road is open from Glacier Rim to Polebridge. Firefighters, residents and visitors should use extra caution while driving.
• Businesses in Polebridge are open.
• Estimated cost to date is $16,300,000.
• Harts Type I Incident Management Team is transitioning with Bennett's Type I Team.

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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