Fool Creek Fire Well Established in West Fork of T
Incident: Fool Creek Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 8/13/2007
Choteau, Mont., Aug. 13--The fire has gotten well established on the north and south sides of the West Fork of the Teton River and was farther east than infrared data showed Monday morning. The fire is now exposed to westerly winds on the north side of the West Fork and the fire could move east down the drainage on Tuesday.
On Monday, the fire also moved up the West Fork drainage and into the Wright Creek area. Helicopters dropped water on the fire in the West Fork and for now stopped its advance down canyon.
A reconnaissance flight at mid afternoon Monday found the fire quiet in Nesbit, Bull, and Crazy creeks. There was abundant smoke above Strawberry Creek. The fire was active on its west side on Mt. May and in the Bowl Creek area. The fire appears to be burning into the Scout Creek drainage. On the south side, the fire was actively burning downhill between Open and 7 Up creeks.
Tuesday's weather forecast calls for increasing wind, dry air and warm temperatures. A fire-weather watch on Monday will become a red-flag warning at the fire on Tuesday. Tuesday night cool air and an east wind is predicted. Wednesday will bring higher humidity and a cold front with scattered thunderstorms is forecast for Thursday. Friday will be cooler but windy.
On Tuesday, firefighters will continue running pumps at Sabido, Wrong Creek, the Massey Tract cabins, and Teton Pass ski area. Helicopters will continue making water drops in the Nesbit Creek drainage. Water drops in the West Fork may not be effective given how much fire and fuel are there. "Whitney's Type One Team," who manages the Ahorn fire, will take over management of the Fool Creek fire as well at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
You can continue reaching the Fool Creek fire at the same information phone number above and at www.inciweb.org/incident/776/.
Special Notices, Alerts & Restrictions: The Sun River, Ear Mountain and Blackleaf state wildlife management areas are closed. All of the Rocky Mountain Ranger District is closed except for the southeastern part of the Scapegoat Wilderness. Other adjacent areas of the Flathead National Forest are closed. The land managed by the BLM adjacent to the national forest boundary including the Blind Horse Outstanding Natural Area is closed.
Stage II fire restrictions are in effect on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District outside of the wilderness. Stage I restrictions remain in effect within the wilderness.
