Wilderness trails closed by fires
A lightning-caused fire near Marias Pass, another on the south side of Big Mountain and another in Marion ldrove home the point of the Flathead County Commissioners' decision last week in imposing Stage 1 fire restrictions on private property in Flathead County.
A fire in the Puzzle Creek drainage close to the Continental Divide was ignited during a lightning storm on Sept. 8 in heavy, dead timber south of Marias Pass. The fire, located between the Challenge Cabin and Running Crane Mountain and close to the burned area from the 2007 Skyland Fire, had grown to more than `1,372 acres by presstime.
Hungry Horse District Ranger Jimmy DeHerrera on Friday said he expected the fire to continue growing and possibly sweep over the Divide into the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Firefighters from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Flathead National Forest, Whitefish Fire Department and Big Mountain Fire Department responded Sept. 6 to a fire below the Whitefish Mountain Resort ski area apparently started by logging equipment.
Three helicopters dropped buckets of water from nearby Whitefish Lake on the fire, and two single-engine air tankers from Ronan dumped retardant on the small blaze. By 6 p.m., the fire was estimated at a quarter of an acre and smoking heavily. Bulldozers were used to put a line around the fire.
DNRC crews and the Marion Fire Department responded to a new fire the same day along a road in the Bear Springs area between Lost Prairie and Little Bitterroot Lake.
Because of the fire's proximity to the road, there is speculation it may have been one of several recent fires caused by people.
Concerned about human-caused fires and facing persistent hot and dry conditions, the Flathead County Commissioners approved Stage 1 fire restrictions on Sept. 6.
The restrictions ban fireworks, require that campfires have a fire ring no larger than three feet in diameter and limits smoking to buildings, vehicles or areas that are cleared of vegetation.
"It's just we've been so dry in the valley for so long," said Lincoln Chute, fire service manager for the county's Office of Emergency Services. "About 80 or 90 percent of our grass areas are cured out. We're just concerned that if something gets away, it could get pretty ugly. It's not so much the restrictions, but more of a wake-up call to the public."
Chute noted that several illegal fires occurred over the Labor Day weekend. Firefighters responded to several debris burns, including a slash pile that was 12 feet in diameter and 8 feet high.
"Hopefully, people will be vigilant, and we can get through without any incidents in the valley," Chute said.
Meanwhile in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, hot and dry weather last week spurred on two fires that have been burning deep in the wilderness for more than a month. The Big Salmon Lake Fire was estimated at 5,000 acres and the Hammer Creek Fire at 5,600 acres.
Also in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the Stadler Creek Fire along the Continental Divide had grown to 349 acres, the Clack Creek Fire had grown to 106 acres, and a 20-acre fire was burning in the Ayers and Fiction creeks area.
The South Fork Lost Creek Fire, burning seven miles southeast of Swan Lake, also picked up last week, but activity was mostly within the fire's 1,710-acre perimeter.
Flathead National Forest officials have implemented new closures in the Bob Marshall Wilderness because of the wildfires, including areas frequented by hunters.
The 1,372-acre Puzzle Fire is burning to the south of Bullshoe Mountain towards Puzzle Creek and east towards the Continental Divide. Closures include:
• Upper Skyland Road No. 569, including Morrison Trailhead and Trail No. 154 south.
• ATV trails No. 569.1 and No. 569G.
• Puzzle Ridge Trail No. 264.
• East Skyland Trail No. 251.
The 349-acre lightning-caused Stadler Creek Fire began Sept. 8. Trail closures include:
• Hoadley Trail No. 226 over Stadler Pass to Stadler Creek No. 271 to the junction with the Basin Creek Trail No. 267.
• Ayers Creek Trail No. 273 and Fiction Creek No. 272.
• South Fork of the Sun No. 202 from Hoadley to its junction with Trail No. 248.
The 4,966-acre Big Salmon Lake Fire has been most active in the Brownie Creek drainage. Trail closures include:
• Trail No. 110 Big Salmon Creek between West Side South Fork River Trail and Trail No. 451.
• Trail No. 111 and Trail No. 451.
The 5,600-acre Hammer Creek Fire remains active and existing closures remain in place. No closures are planned due to the 106-acre Clack Creek Fire. Visitors are cautioned that conditions can change.
For more information, contact the Spotted Bear Ranger Station at 406-758-5376 or the Hungry Horse Ranger District at 406-387-3800. Additional information can be found online at http://inciweb.org.