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Wedge Canyon Complex |
7:30 AM Saturday, August 30, 2003
Yesterday was a good day for our fire crews on the Wedge Canyon Fire. In the northwest corner of the fire, crews were able to connect a handline and dozer line along a rugged section of that area.
In the southeastern portion of the fire, crews used a technique called” burning out”, in order to widen and secured several wet meadows east of the North Fork Flathead River. This line is very important to the continued protection of residences along the North Fork Road.
In the Akokala drainage, crews and water dropping helicopters worked to contain three small spot fires that had started Thursday during a wind event.
Today’s weather should be similar to Friday’s, and should allow crews, with the assistance of helicopters, to construct and improve additional firelines in the same areas as yesterday. Crews will continue to burn out from the lines between the meadows in the southeastern sector of the fire. This burnout operation will probably begin after noon due to the smoke and fog inversion in the morning hours.
| CURRENT SIZE: 47,973acres |
CONTAINMENT: 72% |
| 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 and 29 outbuildings were lost, and 1 house/cabin damaged.
RESOURCES: 8 hand crews, 7 helicopters, 26 engines, 2 dozers and 17 water tenders. Equipment used as needed includes feller/bunchers, skidders and excavators. Approximately 469 line, support and overhead personnel.
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Flathead National Forest |
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