Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Update 9-2
Incident: Elbow Pass Fire Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/2/2012
Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
FIRE UPDATE: Saturday September 2, 2012 (See Inciweb maps for locations)
Fire Danger remains very high this weekend. Be very diligent with campfires and ensure they are dead-out before leaving them. Fire-fighting resources are very tight right now because of all of the fires burning around the region. Be careful with all ignition sources- they all have potential to start a fire. This includes, but is not limited to, carefully monitoring any cooking activities, not tossing cigarettes on the ground and making sure vehicles and trailers are not dragging anything that could create sparks.
Elbow Pass Complex Spotted Bear Ranger District, Lewis and Clark National Forest. High winds prevented any aerial reconnaissance or other helicopter work. There was an infrared flight Saturday night which showed more interior burning than in previous days. The fire is burning in unburned timber where heat, wind and slope align. It continues to creep and smolder with individual tree and group torching. The fire grew 281 acres over the last two days primarily in the western portion in the Rapid Creek area. Minor growth was seen in the South Fork Sun River. The Falls Point fire showed more fire activity than had been present during the past few days; individual and group tree torching was seen on the southeast perimeter.
Todays Update: RED FLAG WARNINGS continue today caused by high westerly winds and low relative humidity. Aerial reconnaissance is not expected today unless the winds subside by evening. Fire managers will rely on Patrol Lookout to monitor fire behavior. Widespread single and group torching is expected where there is heat. Fire activity is expected to continue along the southern and western portions of the fire. Short uphill runs and single tree and group torching are anticipated. Structure protection remains in place for Danaher and Basin Cabins. Firefighter and public safety during all operations is our number one priority. Fire managers are prepared to assist with initial attack http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3066/
Wedge Creek Fire Seeley Lake Ranger District, Lolo National Forest, 1,307 acres
This fire continues to burn in steep terrain, heavy timber and around rock outcroppings in the Montour Addition to the Bob Marshall Wilderness, a remote un-roaded area south of the Scapegoat Wilderness boundary. The fire is producing a smoke column visible from highway 200. The fire behavior substantially increased yesterday in the Hayden Creek area with the low relative humidity, and afternoon gusty winds. The fire burned in islands and pockets of brush and trees in the Hayden Creek area. Group tree torching and isolated crown runs occurred in timbered stringers that were aligned with the gusty winds. The fire has burned into the edge of the previously burned Conger Fire area that occurred in 2007. The weather today will be sunny with southwest winds at 8 to 13 mph with gusts to 18mph. Tonight the gusts may get as high as 24 mph. Due to heavy fuel loadings with intermittent bug-killed trees, steep slopes and inaccessible terrain it is unsafe to have crews on the ground. At this time, actions will continue to engage the fire in a way that will not place firefighters in danger. No private structures or property are currently threatened by the fire. On the Lolo National Forest Seeley Lake Ranger District, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions· are in effect except in the Scapegoat Wilderness and the Montour Addition to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Today's Plan: Reconnaissance flights will continue daily and the IC estimates the fire area has grown 60 acres. Actions will continue to engage the fire in a way that will not place firefighters in danger and utilize aircraft to observe and engage the fire as necessary. .Inciweb Wedge Creek
East Fork Fire Lincoln Ranger District, Helena National Forest, 477 acres. The East Fork Fire was active over the last few days due to high winds and warm temperatures. Last night, the fire did spot across the East Fork of Meadow Creek which has triggered the need for some additional trail closures. The fire is expected to continue to grow toward the north and east today with the predicted high winds and low relative humidities. The fire remains and is expected to remain within the Scapegoat Wilderness. Today fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire activity, but due to safety purposes there will not be any direct attack on the fireline. No structures are threatened.
The fire is burning in contiguous sub-alpine fir and dense, dead timber stands. The strategy remains to safely manage this fire for suppression within the Wilderness boundary, primarily containing the southern flank and preventing further spread to the south. Weather conditions will be sunny with smoke lingering in the area. Temperatures are expected in the low-70s with low relative humidity. There is a red flag warning through today with high winds predicted to be from the west at 15-25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
NOTE: Additional trail restrictions are in place, see below. http://inciweb.org/incident/3203/
Dart Creek - Spotted Bear Ranger District, Flathead NF, 10 acre. Firefighters made good progress on the fire yesterday. The fire is 75% contained and there was not growth. Structure protection remains on Pendant Cabin. At this time the Big Salmon Creek trail is open, but trail users should call the Spotted Bear Ranger District (406-758-5376) for the latest information before heading out on the trail( Trail #29, the Smith-Little Salmon Trail remains closed).
Little Calf - Spotted Bear Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, 1-2 acres. Control is expected today; demob is planned to begin on Monday.
Fools Hen - Spotted Bear Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, 1/2 acres. Declared out on 8/30.
Prisoner Lake Fire Spotted Bear Ranger District, Flathead National Forest -. Last update was 8-16-12, no further updates until conditions and/or fire behavior significantly changes. Minimal smoke was seen as of 9-1. Fire history and past information is at: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3065/
Falls Point Fire Seeley Lake Ranger District, Lolo National Forest, 203 Acres -As of August 16th the Falls Point Fire has been added to the Elbow Pass Complex. Elbow Pass Complex fire information: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3067/
Meadow Creek Fire 8/23/12 was the final update for this fire; no further updates unless fire conditions change. Fire history and past information is available from : Inciweb Meadow Creek
Stonewall Fire Lincoln Ranger District, Helena National Forest, 12 acres Last update was on 8-31-12; no further updates unless fire conditions change. Fire history and past information is available from : http://inciweb.org/incident/3214/
Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex - Trail Closures
As of August 31th, 2012
Lewis & Clark National Forest
Trail Closures for Elbow Pass Complex:
- South Fork Sun River Trail # 202 (The portion of the trail south of the South Fork Sun River Pack Bridge)
- Straight Creek Trail #212 (The portion of the trail north of Straight Creek Pass)
- Hoadley Creek trail #226
- Patrol Mountain Lookout Trail #213
- Ellis Creek Trail #227
- East Fork Ahorn Trail # 225 (The portion of the trail south of Grizzly Basin)
- Observation Pass Trail #246
- Elbow Pass Trail # 248
- Cigarette Rock Trail #247
- Green Fork Trail # 228
- Petty-Crown Trail #232
- Crown Mountain Trail #270
- Halfmoon Creek Trail #216
- Telephone Creek Trail #274
Trail closures for the Prisoner Lake fire -
· Trail # 211
Flathead National Forest
Trail Closures: for Elbow Pass Fire Complex fire
· Area Closures are still in effect, refer to Flathead Area Closure map
Trail Closures for Prisoner Lake fire
· Molly Creek Trail # 138,
· So. Fork White River Trail # 380
· Haystack Mtn Trail # 626
Trail Closures for Condon Mtn fire
· Trail #29, the Smith-Little Salmon Trail
Seeley Lake Ranger District, Lolo National Forest
Trail Closures for Wedge Creek and Meadow Creek fires:
· Fenn Mountain Trail #88 the entire trail, beginning in T 16 N, R 12 W, Section 3.
· Conger Point Trail #468 the entire trail, beginning in T 17 N, R 11 W, Section 31.
· Dwight Creek Trail #414 from the junction with Conger Point Trail #468 to Omar Mountain T 17 N, R 12 W, Section 14.
· Conger Creek Trail #403 from the junction with Conger Point Trail #468 T 17 N, R12 W, Sec. 23 to the junction with Canyon Point Trail #1437 T17 N, R 11 W, Sec. 29.
Lolo National Forest:
Description of Closed Areas:
From the North Fork Cabin, T 17 N, R 10 W, Sec. 29, northwest along the Dry Fork trail #31, but not including the Dry Fork trail #31, to the junction with Canyon-Falls Creek trail #16; thence southwest along the Falls-Canyon Trail #16, but not including the Falls-Canyon trail #16 to the Scapegoat Wilderness boundary in T 17 N, R 11 W, Sec. 28; thence north and west along the Scapegoat Wilderness boundary through Canyon Point and Omar Mountain to the boundary with the Flathead National Forest, Spotted Bear Ranger District; thence northeast along the Forest boundary through Danaher Mountain and Concord Mountain to Triple Divide; thence southeast along the Continental Divide through Flint Mountain and Scapegoat Mountain to the junction of Cave Creek trail #1217; thence west and south along the Cave Creek trail #1217, but not including the Cave Creek trail #1217, to the junction with the Hobnail Tom trail #32; thence south along the Hobnail Tom trail #32, but not including the Hobnail Tom trail #32, southwest to the junction with the Cooney Creek trail #406; thence southeast along the Cooney Creek trail #406, and including the Cooney Creek trail #406 to the boundary with the Helena National Forest, Lincoln Ranger District; thence south and west along the Forest boundary through Olson Peak and Galusha Peak to the junction with the East Fork trail #481 in T 17 N, R 10 W, Sec. 27; thence northwest along the East Fork trail #481, and including the East Fork trail #481 to the junction with the Hobnail Tom trail #32; thence west along the Hobnail Tom trail #32 to the junction with the North Fork Cabin.
Helena National Forest
Trail Closures for East Fork fire:
· Arrastra/Porcupine Basin Trails #482 & 488: entire trail of both beginning in T15N R10W Section 25 & T15N R10W Section 23
· Dry Creek/Meadow Cr Trail #483: from the beginning in T15N R10W Section 17 to junction of Mainline Trail #481 in T16N R9W Section 8
· Bugle Meadow Cut-across Trail #480: entire trail beginning at Meadow Lake T16N R9W S18 and ending in T16N R10W S1
· Sourdough Trail #427: entire trail beginning in T16N R9W Section 8 at junction of Mainline Trail #481
