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News Release - August 16, 2003 at 7:30am |
Incident
Information Contacts: |
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Fact Sheet 29Community Meeting: 8:30pm at Polebridge Fire activity was less severe than it has been in previous days because the inversion failed to lift. Containment estimates were revised to 60% due to the perimeter increasing on the eastern edge of the fire in Glacier National Park. Estimated number of structures threatened was revised upwards as this part of the fire edged southward towards North Fork Road. Crews continued to add hose lays in the Trail Creek Road area for structure protection. In both the North Fork Road and Trail Creek Road areas contingency plans are in place for burnouts if needed. As hose lays are completed on Trail Creek Road crews will be moved to North Fork Road area. Due to predicted thunderstorms a Red Flag Warning will be in effect until noon. As the regional fire situation worsens, the Wedge Canyon Fire will continue to share resources with other fires in support of regional fire suppression priorities. Suppression efforts will continue to be challenged by the extreme fire situation region wide. The North Fork Road remains closed north of Glacier Rim to all traffic except residents, firefighters, and emergency vehicles. CURRENT SIZE: 40,586 acres CONTAINMENT: 60% WHAT: Wildfire, lightning-caused ESTIMATED CONTAINMENT DATE: Unknown STARTED: July 18, 2003 reported 1:25 P.M. LOCATION: About 42 miles north of Columbia Falls, 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: 2 firefighters treated for respiratory problems related to the smoke inversion. STRUCTURES: 7 houses/cabins, 29 outbuildings were lost, and 1 house/cabin damaged. RESOURCES ON FIRE: 20 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 31 engines, 3 dozers and 19 water tenders. Equipment used as needed includes feller bunchers, skidders and excavators. Total support and overhead positions are approximately 903 personnel. JURISDICTION: USDA Forest Service (Flathead National Forest), Flathead County and Glacier National Park OTHER COOPERATING AGENCIES: Montana DNRC, BIA, and BLM. CONTACTS
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Glacier
National Park |
Flathead National Forest |
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Wedge
Canyon Complex