[logo]. National Park Service[logo]. USDA Forest Service.Wedge Canyon Complex

News Release - August 23, 2003 at 7:30am

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

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[logo]. ORCA Interagency Incident Management Team

Fact Sheet 36
7:30 AM, Saturday, August 23, 2003

FIRE UPDATE

Yesterday was mostly overcast and hazy with a trace of rain.  Fire activity was not real active and fire spread was minimal and was slowly backing down the slopes with the increased humidity.  Many divisions of the fire area remained in a patrol and mop-up status. 

Today the focus will be on the Trail Creek and North Fork road areas securing and patrolling fire lines and continuing residential structure protection efforts.  Relative humidity is expected to be higher and temperatures cooling into the 60’s.  There is a slight chance of a light shower.

The North Fork Road remains closed north of Glacier Rim to all traffic except residents, firefighters, and emergency vehicles

CURRENT SIZE:   41,600 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:  Private homes and property, Timber, Recreation, Fisheries, Wild & Scenic River Corridor.

INJURIES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS:  0

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

RESOURCES ON FIRE:  4 hand crews, 3 helicopters, 15 engines, no dozers and 18 water tenders. Equipment used as needed includes feller bunchers, skidders and excavators. Total support and overhead positions are approximately 479 personnel.

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

OTHER COOPERATING AGENCIES:  Montana DNRC, BIA, and BLM.


CONTACTS

  • Wedge Canyon Fire Incident Command Information: 801-413-0525
  • Wedge Canyon Fire web site: www.fs.fed.us/r5/fire/ciimt5/ac/
  • Joint Information Center for all fires within Glacier N.P. and Flathead N.F: 406-755-3910
  • Northern Rockies Regional Fire Information: 1-800-781-2811

  
Earlier News Releases:

 

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 3rd Avenue, East
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406)758-5200
(406)758-5363 - FAX)
(406)758-5367 - TDD)

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