Planning for The Long Term on Fool Creek
Incident: Fool Creek Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 7/8/2007
Contact: Punky Moore Phone: 406-466-3560
Mike Munoz or Wendy Maples Phone: 406-466-5341 (Rocky Mountain RD Office)
Current size: Approximately 3682 acres (estimated by flight at 8:20 p.m. July 7, 2007)
Management and Status: A Northern Rockies Fire Use Management Team , in cooperation with Rocky Mountain Ranger District and Flathead National Forest personnel, is working on long term management and contingency plans for the fire. Recognizing that this fire will be a long-term event, managers will assess risks to resources and values, such as potential threats to structures or important recreation sites, and develop management plans to minimize those risks. Managers will also evaluate the benefits of fire, such as improving habitat and creating fuel breaks that will moderate future fire behavior, and will document those in the long-term plan. The Lewis and Clark Fire Use Module (a 6-person crew with specialized training in on-site monitoring and management of wildland fire use) will be flown to Wrong Creek Cabin today and will stay there for several days. This crew will gather key information on fuels and fire behavior that will assist managers in long-term planning. They will also be clearing overwinter deadfall from existing trails to improve potential escape routes, and maintaining structure protection at Wrong Creek Cabin. Today's additional objective is to drop water on the east and southeast perimeters of the fire to cool it and limit spread in that direction.
Personnel/Resources on the Fire: In addition to the crew of 6 heading to Wrong Creek Cabin, a crew of 4 has completed structure protection at Gooseberry Cabin on the Flathead NF and is preparing to meet a pack string that will take them to do the same at Sabido Cabin, also on the Flathead NF. Two helicopters will be transporting crews and equipment, assisting with reconnaissance, and dropping water on the fire. A total of 45 people are assigned to the fire, including the Fire Use Management Team and District personnel coordinating with the Team.
Activity: The fire has been very active since its detection on July 4, with all types of fire intensity observed including ground fire, single and group tree torching, and crown fire (fire carried rapidly through treetops and branches rather than along the ground). Most active burning on the fire continues to move it toward the Wrong Creek Cabin, although changes in fire behavior within the previously burned McDonald II area will help with effectiveness of water drops to slow or limit fire spread in that direction. Cooler temperatures and higher nighttime humidity limited overnight fire activity. Predicted warming and continued dry weather will contribute to ongoing active fire behavior.
History: The fire was started by a lightning strike on June 28 but was not detected until the afternoon of July 4, 2007. Fire progression has been as follows (all acreage figures are estimates from evening flights): 5 acres on July 4, 2000 acres on July 5, 3107 acres on July 6, 3157 acres on July 7. Yesterday the fire moved to the Open Creek drainage on the south and into the McDonald II fire area of 2000.
Special Concerns: Strict protocols are being followed to minimize the risk of introducing nuisance species such as noxious weeds and aquatic diseases as a result of fire management operations.
Restrictions & Closures: Several trails have been closed for public safety in the fire area. For trail closure informationrefer to theFlathead National Forest website (http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead) or contact the Rocky Mountain Ranger District Office (406) 466-5341 or the Spotted Bear Ranger District Office (406)758-5376.
