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Fact Sheet 41
7:30 AM, Wednesday, August 27, 2003
FIRE UPDATE
On Tuesday, the Wedge Canyon fire did not see the high winds predicted
as part of the Red Flag warning issued for the day, although conditions
did remain dry and warm. The inversion lifted later than anticipated,
and only moderate fire activity was seen. The southeast portion of the
fire within Glacier National Park continued to push south/southeast slowly,
as the fire also crept a little further down slopes along perimeter lines
adjacent to the Trail Creek area. Crews continue to make good headway
with containment lines in the southeast and northeast areas along the
fire perimeter where active burning continues to be seen. Patrol and mop-up
is in place in all portions of the fire area. Structure protection and
patrol remains constant in the Trail Creek area.
Along with the warming and drying trend predicted for this week, another
“Red Flag” warning has been issued for today due to low humidity and the
likelihood of west/southwest winds of 15-25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph
in the afternoon.
The North Fork Road remains open up to Polebridge. All travelers need
to be cautious of heavy traffic coming from the Robert Fire camp just
north of Columbia Falls, and the Wedge Canyon fire camp south of Polebridge,
as well as the public. Motorists should also be advised that no stopping
is permitted along North Fork Road, and there are no recreation opportunities
in the Flathead National Forest or Glacier National Park in areas adjacent
to the Wedge Canyon or Robert fires.
The Wolf Gun fire, also being monitored by the ORCA Type II Team, stood
at 8,729 acres on 8/26, an increase of 629 acres from 8/25. The fire is
burning in Glacier National Park, southeast of Wedge Canyon. It is being
monitored by air and ground, but no active suppression is taking place.
Wedge Canyon fire personnel invite area residents, visitors and the public
to the regular fire information meetings held each night at Polebridge
Mercantile at 8:00 PM.
| CURRENT SIZE: 46,126 acres |
CONTAINMENT: 60% |
| WHAT: Wildfire, lightning-caused |
ESTIMATED CONTAINMENT DATE: 9/15/03 |
STARTED: July 18, 2003, reported at 1:25 P.M. Lightning
LOCATION: 42
miles north of Columbia Falls, MT; 6 miles south of the Canadian border,
primarily in the Tepee Creek drainage of the North Fork Flathead River.
Legal Description: Parts 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 & property, Timber, Recreation, Fisheries,
Wild & Scenic River
INJURIES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: 0
STRUCTURES:
7 houses/cabins and 29 outbuildings were lost, and 1 house/cabin damaged.
RESOURCES:
7 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 26 engines, 2 dozers and 17 water tenders.
Equipment used as needed includes feller/bunchers, skidders and excavators.
Approximately 447 fire personnel including fire crews, line support and
overhead staff are working on the fire.
COST TO DATE:
$25.8 million
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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Wedge
Canyon Complex