North Fork fires 10 percent contained
<p>Lightning-caused wildfires commonly start on the Whitefish Range and burn to the east with the prevailing winds, crossing the North Fork valley in narrow swaths from west to east. Here is a photo of the Wedge Canyon Fire taken in July 2003.</p>
Several wildfires up the North Fork grouped together as the Hay Creek Complex have grown to 15 total acres and were 10 percent contained as of Aug. 1.
Started by lightning storms on July 29-30, the fires are burning in heavy timber on steep, rough terrain, often with no road or trail access. There has been group tree torching and occasional spotting.
Resources assigned to the fires include five 20-man crews, four helicopters, single engine air tankers and a local Type 3 management team, for a total of 145 people.
These fires include:
• The 7-acre Akinkoka Fire south of Whale Creek.
• The 3-4 acre Hay Creek No. 1 Fire southwest of Polebridge.
• The quarter-acre Hay Creek No. 2 Fire southwest of Polebridge.
• The Thoma Creek Fire near the Canada Border in the headwaters of Thoma Creek close to Trail 114A.
The Forest Service is using the Ford Cabin area about nine miles north of Polebridge as a base of operations, with helicopters picking up personnel and supplies there.