![[logo]. ORCA Interagency Incident Management Team](../images/orca_logo.gif)
Fact Sheet 42
7:30 AM, Thursday, August 28, 2003
FIRE UPDATE
On Wednesday, the day
started off clear and winds picked up, with gusts of 30mph in the afternoon
out of the south/southwest. Active fire behavior was seen in the southeast
portion of the fire area within Glacier National Park (Division W). Crews
continued to build and strengthen containment lines in this area and tie
Akokala Creek Trail and into the burn area from the Red Bench fire (1988).
Moderate fire activity remained the norm in the Trail Creek area (Division
C), with fire continuing to back down steep slopes. Helicopters made water
drops in areas with difficult access in Divisions C and W.
A possible change in
wind direction has been anticipated in strategic planning for today, with
the potential for winds out of the north/northwest up to 7-10 mph. Additional
resources are being assigned to the southeast portion of the fire to include
orders for use of heavy helicopters if needed. Mop-up and patrol will
remain in tact for most portions of the fire, and structure protection
remains in place for the Trail Creek area.
The ORCA Incident Management
Team is also responsible for the Wolf Gun fire, which has burned approximately
8,729 acres and The Paul Bunyon fire that has burned 300 acres. Both fires
are burning in Glacier National Park, southeast of Wedge Canyon and are
being monitored by Wedge Canyon Fire Air Recon aircraft.
The Wedge Canyon Base
Camp and fire area are located in “bear” territory. National Park and
National Forest personnel have been working with and educating firefighters
and camp personnel on the “bear facts”. This is especially important
with the bear’s hyper-fascia [high calorie needs] time of the year before
hibernation. Crews from New Mexico, Wisconsin and New Jersey have appreciated
the messages.
| CURRENT SIZE: 46,126 acres |
CONTAINMENT: 66% |
| 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:
10 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 23 engines, 1 dozers and 17 water tenders.
Equipment used as needed includes feller/bunchers, skidders and excavators.
Approximately 495 fire personnel including fire crews, line support and
overhead staff are working on the fire.
COST TO DATE:
$26,280,000
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