Final News Release - Bob Marshal Area Joint Fire Information Center
Road Work On Monday, September 24, 2007 road graders and water tenders will be doing road maintenance on 16 miles of the Benchmark Road #235, 12.5 miles on the Beaver-Willow Road #233, and 8.3 miles..... more
Most restrictions have now been lifted from the Fool Creek Fire Area
Credit: USFS
Summary
The Lewis and Clark National Forest and Flathead National Forest have opened all areas previously closed due to the Fool Creek Fire. Several trails remain closed to stock use on the Lewis and Clark National Forest, including the portion of Trail 107 through 'Box Canyon' southeast of the West Fork Teton Trailhead, Trail 106 from its junction with Trail 107 eastward to the top of Blackleaf Pass, and the Washboard Reef Trail from its junction with Trail 157 west to the top of washboard reef. These stock-use closures are meant to protect public safety and prevent resource damage. West Fork Teton Campground remains closed due to fire-related safety hazards and fire-damaged facilities.
Camping with stock is allowed within the Fool Creek Fire area on both the Lewis & Clark and Flathead National Forests; however, no grazing is allowed within the burned areas, and stock campers must carry 100% supplemental feed (certified weed-seed free).
If travelling within burned areas, be alert to a number of potential hazards, including falling snags, rolling material, burned out stump and root-holes, as well as others. Although inactive, the fire is not 'out', and you may notice areas of smoking or burning. Although open to use, trails may not be cleared, or may become impassable again as fall weather events pass through. Remember that chainsaws are prohibited within the wilderness.
Crews will continue to patrol, mop-up, identify rehab activities and backhaul operations as needed.
Fire restrictions have been lifted on most public lands within and immediately adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex in north-central Montana. The Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Helena, and Lolo National Forests have lifted fire restrictions on all National Forest lands, with the exception of the non-wilderness portion of the Seeley Lake Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest. The Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena has lifted its fire restrictions effective September 25, 2007.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildland Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | 06/28/2007 at 1930 hrs. |
| Location | 30 miles northwest of Choteau, Mont. |
| Incident Commander | James Grasham |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 16 |
|---|---|
| Size | 60,038 acres |
| Percent Contained | 30% |
| Fuels Involved | Lodgepole pine and spruce interspersed with old fire scars with considerable standing dead trees. |
| Fire Behavior | Increased humidities and lower temperatures reduced fire behavior to smoldering and creeping surface fire. |
| Significant Events | Lower pressure moved into the area increasing humidities and lowering temperatures. Crews continue to grid for hotspots in Massey tract. Crews initiated rehab in the vicinity of the Teton Pass Winter Sports Area and along Forest Service Road 144. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Crews will continue to check for hotspots in Massey tract. Crews will continue rehab work in the vicinity of the Teton Pass Winter Sports Area and along Forest Service Road 144. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | low |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Containment Target | The long-term implementation plan is being implemented, and containment is not expected until a season ending event. |
| Remarks | The fire has burned 28,766 acres on the Flathead NF and 31,272 acres on the Lewis and Clark NF. Transition to a Type 3 organization occurred on September 18. |
Weather
| Current Wind Conditions | Not available |
|---|---|
| Current Temperature | Not available |
| Current Humidity | Not available |
