Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Update 9-4
Incident: Elbow Pass Fire Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/4/2012
Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
FIRE UPDATE: Tuesday September 4, 2012
This will be the last combined update for fires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and surrounding forest lands. However, we will continue to maintain regular Trail and Area Closure information for the greater Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Please refer to Inciweb for updated fire information. http://www.inciweb.org/
Elbow Pass Complex Spotted Bear Ranger District, Lewis and Clark National Forest. 21,069 acres There continues to be fire activity in the same areas of the fire, generally the south and west perimeter. There was an increase in individual and group tree torching, and small uphill runs caused by the winds. The Infrared photo flight last night showed an increase of 364 acres. Hazard trees were successfully removed from the Green Fork cabin area.
Todays Update: The weather forecast is for more moderate conditions with highs in the upper 60s and 70s and relative humidity 25-35%. Winds will be from the northwest 10-15%. This will result in subdued fire activity with smoke continuing along the south and west perimeter but the potential for fire growth is low. The 14-day outlook is for warmer than normal temperatures although it will be cool with high temperatures the 70s, and dry. Management of this fire will continue until there is heavy precipitation sufficient to essentially end the fire season. For this management, we are transitioning incident commanders today to oversee operations. Structure protection remains in place for Danaher and Basin Cabins. The Incident Commander (IC) will fly the fire to map fire growth and behavior. Fire managers and the helicopters assigned to the fire are prepared for initial attack. http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3066/
Wedge Creek Fire Seeley Lake Ranger District, Lolo National Forest, 1,500 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 Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness boundary. The fire is producing a smoke column visible from highway 200. The fire is burning into Hayden Creek, as burning logs and debris have rolled downslope from Fenn Mountain area. Wind driven spotting is causing isolated group tree torching and short sustained crown runs toward Omar Mountain. The fire has also reached the bottom of Falls Creek. 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 light northwest winds at 6 to 11 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Tonight the winds will become light from the west northwest at 5 to 10 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 continued yesterday in the light helicopter assigned to this incident. 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, 1,123 acres. The fire is burning in contiguous sub-alpine fir-a fuel type that is known for prolific spotting-and dense, dead timber.
Six firefighters were flown in by helicopter a spot fire that was detected outside of the Wilderness boundary in the head of the Copper Creek drainage. These firefighters are fully suppressing this 1-1/2 acre spot, as well as gridding for and responding to other spot fires that might be detected outside of the Scapegoat Wilderness. The fire has also spotted into the upper end of the Sourdough Creek drainage which is within the Scapegoat Wilderness. This spot will not be suppressed as it is part of the head of the fire where there is active flame and growth.
Fire personnel will monitor the main fire throughout the day, but for safety purposes there will be no direct attack on the fireline of the main fire. The strategy remains to manage this fire for suppression within the Wilderness boundary, primarily containing the southern flank and preventing spread to the south. Due to the weather, wind and fuel conditions, it is anticipated that the East Fork Fire will remain active and spread further to the east today within the Wilderness boundary. The smoke is still visible to the surrounding areas; however, it is not threatening any structures. The trail closures remain in effect for public safety reasons.http://inciweb.org/incident/3203/
Dart Creek - Spotted Bear Ranger District, Flathead NF, 10 acre. 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 was expected Sunday' demob is planned to begin on Monday.
Foolhen - 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 September 4, 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
