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FLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST |
NEWS RELEASE |
August 20, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dale Luhman 406-758-5376
Additional Fires Cause Increased Wilderness Closures in the South Fork Flathead River and West Fork Sun River
The Flathead and Lewis and Clark National Forests are increasing the areas of closure on the Spotted Bear and Rocky Mountain Ranger Districts. These additional closures are due to the numerous new fire starts over the past few days and the concern for public safety.
The existing closure from the northern section of the Bob Marshall Wilderness area, South Fork Flathead River Drainage from Mid Creek (3 miles south of Meadow Creek Trailhead), will be extended south to include the entire South Fork Flathead River Drainage to the southern boundary of the Spotted Bear Ranger District.
The Rocky Mountain Ranger District is adding an area closure including Indian Creek Trail #211, Ahorn Creek Trail #209, and East Fork Ahorn Creek Trail #225. The West Fork Sun River Trail #203 remains open
The Little Salmon Creek Complex is located 47 miles southeast of Kalispell, Montana in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and is comprised of 8 wildland fire use fires being managed under a wildland fire use strategy for resource benefits. Most of these use fires are located in close proximity to the main Little Salmon Creek Fire. The largest of these use fires include Little Salmon Creek at 20,060 acres, Pagoda Mountain 308 acres, and Lime Creek 316 acres. 16 fires have been identified as suppression fires and the largest are Mid 229 acres, Some Creek 287 acres, Leota Peak 90 acres, and Molly Creek 20 acres.
On the Spotted Bear Ranger District since August 16th, there have been 12 additional fire starts in the Wilderness. There have also been numerous starts outside of the wilderness. Crews and resources have been stretched very thin by all of these demands. Weather and fire conditions have caused many of these fires to spread at rapid rates. We are concerned with public safety during these extreme conditions.
Trails and areas affected by the fires will be reopened as soon as trail crews can remove debris and ensure that traveling in the area is safe.
For more information about closures associated with the fires, please call the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 406-758-5376 or visit the following website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/fire/new/fire_index.htm
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