Forest Service issues an area closure around Snow Creek Fire

The Forest Service has issued a large area closure around the Snow Creek Fire in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

The fire is now listed at over 1,000 acres and has burned down to the South Fork of the Flathead River and spot fires have been found at the mouth of Helen Creek, which is across the river from the initial point of the blaze. It is also beginning to spread north into the adjacent Hungry Creek drainage.

Hungry Creek is just east of Black Bear, where there’s a historic ranger station.

Trail 80, the main route through the South Fork, is now closed from Mid Creek to just north of Big Salmon Lake. It is still open to the south of Big Salmon Lake.

Several other trails near the fire are closed as well.

The specific closure is as follows: Starting at the junction of trail No. 80 and trail No. 103 follow a line to the west to the junction of trail No. 226 and trail No. 107. Then follow a line to the south to Marmot Mountain, then further south to Garnet Peak. From Garnet Peak follow a line to the east to Mud Lake Mountain. From Mud Lake Mountain follow a line to the junction of trail No. 112 and trail No. 100. From that junction follow a line to Silvertip Mountain. From Silvertip follow a line to the northwest to the trail junction of trail No. 524 and trail No. 103. From this junction, follow Mid Creek west, back to the starting point at the junction of trail No. 80 and trail No. 103. Trail No. 103 will remain open.

For more detailed information including the official Area Closure document that contains a list of all trails impacted and a map of the closure, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6497/ or contact the Spotted Bear Ranger Station at 406-758-5376.