Fool Creek Fire
Incident: Fool Creek Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 7/10/2007
Contact: Punky Moore Phone: 406-466-3560 or 406-466-2524
Mike Munoz Phone: 406-466-5341 (Rocky Mountain RD Office)
Current size: Approximately 3800 acres
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 a long term management plan for the Fool Creek Fire. The plan will guide management actions throughout the duration of the incident.
Managers are assessing firefighter safety and risks to resources and values, such as potential threats to structures or important recreation sites in order to develop this plan. Management actions are identified in the plan that will be taken when fire reaches pre-determined areas. 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 (FUM) (a 6-person crew with specialized training in on-site management of wildland fire use) are working from the Wrong Creek Cabin today. This crew is gathering 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 and protection for 2 stock bridges south of the cabin.
Personnel/Resources on the Fire: A two person trail crew is working from the Wrong Creek Cabin, in addition to the FUM crew of 6. A crew of 6 has completed structure protection at Gooseberry Cabin on the Flathead NF, and is meeting a 2 person crew with pack string and will take structure protection materials to Sabido Cabin, also on the Flathead NF. Three helicopters will be transporting crews and equipment, assisting with reconnaissance and dropping water on the south and east of the fire. A total of 48 people are assigned to the fire, including the Fire Use Management Team and District personnel coordinating with the Team.
Activity: Most active areas of growth are on the south toward the Wrong Creek Cabin and east toward the 2000 McDonald II fire. Helicopters are being used to drop water in these areas to slow fire spread. Predicted warming, continued dry weather and north to northwest winds will contribute to 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, 3682 acres on July 8. Sunday the fire moved across the Open Creek drainage on the south.
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. Safety of personnel due to extreme burning conditions exhibited on fires across the region.
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.
