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News Release - August 14, 2003 at 10:15am |
Incident
Information Contacts: |
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Fact Sheet 27 (Corrected Version - reference corrected to 'Trail' from 'Trapper')Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Contacts: Wedge Canyon Fire Incident Command Information: 801-413-0525 Joint Information Center for all fires within Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest: 406-755-3910 Northern Rockies Regional Fire Information: 800-781-2811. The eastern perimeter of the Wedge Canyon Fire continued to burn into Glacier National Park on Wednesday, adding almost 1,300 acres and throwing up a spectacular smoke column. This part of the fire is moving toward a diminishing fuel supply and the rocky peaks of the continental divide. Firefighters’ greatest concern here is to prevent this fire front from "backing around" to threaten structures and property on the North Fork Road. Although the eastern front is the most visible part of the fire, the most serious firefighting concern is the Trail Creek area. Steep terrain and thick stands of forest vegetation make this area too hazardous for direct attack. Firefighters have decided to stage pumps and lay hose along Trail Creek Road, widening it for use as a fuel break. Heavy smoke inversions over the last few days severely limited aircraft use. This weather is expected to continue on Thursday. Afternoon winds may gust to 15 miles per hour, contributing to torching in unburned interior areas and along the eastern fire front. Firefighters will benefit from a new helicopter carrying radiometric acquisition equipment. Used to help map remaining hot spots, these electronic heat detectors are sensitive enough to distinguish a burning cigarette butt from a smoldering root two feet underground. The Wedge Canyon Fire will continue to share resources with other fires in support of regional fire suppression priorities. The North Fork Road remains closed north of Glacier Rim to all traffic except residents, firefighters, and emergency vehicles. CURRENT SIZE: 31,890 acres CONTAINMENT: 70% WHAT: Wildfire, lightning-caused ESTIMATED CONTAINMENT DATE: Unknown 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 Tepee Creek drainage of the North Fork Flathead River. Legal Description: Portions of T36N, T37N, R22W and R23W 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 ankle injury, one infected finger. STRUCTURES: 7 houses/cabins, 29 outbuildings were lost, and 1 house/cabin damaged. RESOURCES ON FIRE: 23 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 40 engines, 3 dozers and 19 water tenders. Equipment used as needed includes feller bunchers, skidders and excavators. Total support and overhead positions are approximately 1,059 personnel. JURISDICTION: USDA Forest Service (Flathead National Forest), Flathead County and Glacier National Park OTHER COOPERATING AGENCIES: Montana DNRC, BIA, and BLM. CONTACTS
Community Meeting: 8:30pm at Polebridge |
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Glacier
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Flathead National Forest |
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Wedge
Canyon Complex