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Lincoln County fires update |
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September 7, 2019 |
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This is the September 7 fire update on the fires
that are burning on the Kootenai National
Forest. The Gibralter, Caribou, West Fork, Moose
Peak, and Highway 200 Complex fires are detailed
below.
The Gibralter Ridge Fire is still at 7,291 acres
and 27 percent contained. Firefighters will
continue to mop-up, patrol and monitor the
fire’s gradual growth toward William’s Creek.
Crews have placed sprinklers and continue to
patrol in pre-evacuation areas. The firelines
continue to hold and fire growth is minimal.
Pre-evacuation warnings and closure orders are
still in place in the fire areas.
The Caribou Fire increased a couple hundred
acres to 20,631 acres with 10 percent
containment. Additional resources have been
assigned to the fire, but aircraft will not be
able to resume until the smoke clears and
visibility improves. Fire crews and heavy
equipment were used to improve fire line to the
west and north, while joining lines to the
south. Structure protection will continue to be
the priority and area closure orders remain in
place for the Caribou Fire. A full evacuation
order remains in effect for the West Kootenai
area. Fire managers will continue coordinating
with Canadian fire managers on fire suppression
activities.
The West Fork Fire is estimated at 7,337 acres
at zero percent containment. This fire is
exhibiting moderate fire behavior and backing in
multiple directions. The planned burnout
yesterday was successfully completed to Lindy
Peak. This operation was done in the Bobtail
Ridge and Bobtail Ridge Road area. Crews today
will monitor/hold what was burned east of the
Quartz Road. A crew patrolled/monitored the
burnout area throughout the night. Fire crews
will continue to construct containment lines
along the southern boundary of the fire.
Structure protection and evaluating values at
risk remain the priority. Pre-evacuation and
evacuation orders are in effect for areas near
the West Fork Fire. New evacuation orders have
issued, please check the Lincoln County
Sheriff’s Facebook page.
The Moose Peak Fire is estimated at 5,717 acres
at zero percent containment. This fire is
exhibiting moderate fire behavior, torching,
spotting, and backing in multiple directions.
Fire crews will continue construction of
containment lines on the eastern side of the
fire. Structure protection assessment and
evaluating homes are on-going in the Fisher
Creek and McGinnis Meadows areas.
Closure orders remain in place for the Moose
Peak Fire.
The Highway 200 Complex fires total 18,722 acres
and is at different stages of containment.
Minimum fire growth has occurred over the last
few days and suppression tactics have been
largely successful. Weather and limited
firefighting resources continue to challenge
fire operations. Structure protection assessment
and strengthening existing containment lines
will continue to be the priority. Once
visibility improves, aircraft will again be able
to fly and assist ground crews.
Firefighters will continue mop-up and patrol of
the Readers Fires and have shifted some of those
resources to the Cub Creek Fire. This fire is
expected to continue growing south toward the
Clear Creek drainage.
Firefighters and heavy equipment will be used to
construct and improve existing containment
lines. A hot shot crew is working in the Deep
Creek area to prevent the fire from crossing the
creek. Area closures are currently in place
around immediate fire areas and areas integral
to safe fire operations.
Due to the large number of area fires, air
quality and visibility will continue to be very
poor. People with smoke sensitivities, should
limit their exposure and exertion while
outdoors. For more information please visit
www.todaysair.mt.gov.
Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect for
Lincoln County and Kootenai National Forest due
to extreme fire danger and the Kootenai Forest
is looking at larger area closures around the
fire areas.
As hunting season progresses, please respect
area fire closures. Protection of human life,
both that of firefighters and the public is the
overriding priority.
Current fire conditions can be found at
www.firerestrictions.us. Go to the Kootenai
webpage at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai for the
latest on Closure Orders, Kootenai Forest fire
maps, and other fire information. The
information on the Gibralter Ridge, Caribou,
West Fork, Moose Peak, and Highway 200 Complex
can also be found at
https://www.inciweb.gov.
For up to date information about area fires,
please visit any of the websites listed above. |
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