![[logo]. ORCA Interagency Incident Management Team](../images/orca_logo.gif)
Fact Sheet 38
7:30 AM, Monday, August 25, 2003
FIRE UPDATE
On Sunday, a plume of smoke lifted out of the southeast portion of the fire
within Glacier National Park, resulting from a successful burnout operation
performed along hand line in this area. Another portion of the fire in
the eastern section made an active run and created smoke, but no problems
resulted. Generally, fire activity yesterday increased moderately as a
result of a drier and warmer weather trend. Fire activity in the northwest
portion of the fire area around Trail Creek and south of Kintla Lake continued
to slowly back down the ridges. Structure protection and patrol remains
in place around structures and homes in the Trail Creek area. All other
divisions of the fire area remain in a patrol and mop-up status.
Today, patrol and mop-up will continue in many portions of the fire area. Crews
will continue building containment fire lines to connect the meadows on
the southeastern portion of the fire, securing and patrolling fire lines
and continuing residential structure protection efforts. Incident meteorologists
predict the drying and warming trend to last through the end of the week,
with west/southwest ridgetop winds between 15-25 mph.
Paul’s Type II Incident Management Team is also managing the Wolf Gun Fire.
It has burned approximately 8,100 acres and is 50% contained. It is currently
in a monitoring status, by both ground and air.
The North Fork Road will be open to the public starting at today up to Polebridge.
For fire information, the public may stop by the Wedge Canyon Fire Information
tent at the entrance of the fire camp located two miles south of Polebridge
along North Fork Road. The public is invited to attend community meetings
at Polebridge nightly at 8:00 PM.
| CURRENT SIZE: 42,000 acres |
CONTAINMENT: 62% |
| WHAT: Wildfire, lightning-caused |
ESTIMATED CONTAINMENT DATE: 9/15/03 |
STARTED: July 18, 2003, reported at 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:
4 hand crews, 4 helicopters, 19 engines, no dozers and 17 water tenders.
Equipment used as needed includes feller/bunchers, skidders and excavators.
Total support and overhead positions are approximately 378 personnel.
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:
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![[logo]. National Park Service](../../images/nps-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
![[logo]. USDA Forest Service.](../../images/bevel-sm.gif)
Wedge
Canyon Complex