Hay Creek Fire near Polebridge shows growth
The Hay Creek Fire sends a plume of smoke over the Whitefish Range just north of Polebridge Thursday afternoon.
Stoked by a warm, dry, wind, the Hay Creek Fire up the North Fork was showing growth Thursday afternoon. On Friday morning it was estimated at 200 acres.
The fire is about 3 to 5 miles just northwest of the small town of Polebridge. Smoke from the blaze billowed up over the landscape and into Glacier National Park.
The fire did not, however appear to crest a ridge that would allow it to drop into the Red Meadow Creek drainage, but the drainage itself was right in line with the smoke plume and the smoke itself was palpable at Red Meadow Creek.
The Red Meadow Creek Road is closed.
Winds at times were about 20 mph and a red flag warning for extreme fire conditions was up.
The Flathead and Glacier National Park will enter Stage 2 Fire restrictions on Monday, which means no campfires anywhere, even in developed sites.
In addition, restrictions include:
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails
• The following acts are prohibited from the hours of 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Outside of these hours a one-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following cessation of all activities as identified below:
• Operating an internal combustion engine.
• Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Using an explosive.
This story has been updated to reflect the latest acreage of fire as of Friday morning.