No Significant Fire Growth on Fool Creek
Incident: Fool Creek Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 7/13/2007
Contact: Punky Moore Phone: 406-466-3560 or 406-466-2524
Mike Munoz Phone: 406-466-5341 (Rocky Mountain RD Office)
Current size: Approximately 4,500 acres (4,475 acres on the Lewis & Clark NF - 25 acres on the Flathead NF)
Management and Status: A Northern Rockies Fire Use Management Team, in cooperation with Rocky Mountain Ranger District and Flathead National Forest personnel has completed the long term management plan for the Fool Creek Fire. The Long Term Implementation Plan identifies actions that will be taken to keep fire within a specified area. Within this management area, actions outlined in the Long Term Implementation Plan vary from taking aggressive actions that will check fire spread or direct the fire into low risk areas to monitoring fire activity.
Yesterday, management actions on the incident included dropping buckets of water to limit fire spread to the east toward the wilderness boundary on the Lewis & Clark National Forest, positioning structure protection materials at Teton Pass Ski Area and Massey Recreation Tract and starting pumps at Wrong Creek Cabin to keep the vegetation moist as part of structure protection there. Personnel also signed closed areas and checked trails to notify public of closures.
Firefighter and public safety and risks to resources and values, such as potential threats to structures or important recreation sites are the primary focus in the development of the Long Term Implementation Plan. The Fire Use Management Team is working closely with the Lewis & Clark National Forest, Flathead National Forest, Teton County Sheriff's Office, Teton County Rural Volunteer Fire Department and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in the management of the Fool Creek Fire.
Personnel/Resources on the Fire: As a precautionary measure water pumps have been activated at Wrong Creek Cabin. Personnel are staged at both the Gooseberry Cabin and Sabido Cabin on the Flathead NF providing information to the public regarding access. Structure protection materials are staged at cabins if necessary. A total of 46 people are assigned to the fire, including the Fire Use Management Team and District personnel coordinating with the Team.
Activity: Fire was moving slowly to the southwest and minimal activity was observed on the north of the fire. Continuing warming and drying weather on Friday is expected to increase fire behavior with torching and spotting out in front of the fire.
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. Personnel safety due to numerous snags is also a great concern.
Restrictions & Closures: Several trails have been closed for public safety in the fire area. Additional trail closures were implemented July 11 at midnight. The need for future closures will continue to be evaluated.
