Wedge Canyon Complex

News Release -August 3, 2003 at 7am

Incident Information Contacts:
(406)755-3910 (voice) and (406)755-3931 (fax)

FACT SHEET 16

Wildfire Update - Flathead National Forest

Contact: Flathead National Forest, Supervisor’s Office 406.758.5252,

Wedge Fire Information ICP 801.413.0525 www.fs.fed.us/r5/fire/ciimt5/ac/

JIC (Joint Information Center for all fires within Glacier N.P. and Flathead N.F.) 406.755.3910

What: Wildfire, lightning-caused Started: July 18, 2003 reported 1:25 P.M.

Location: About 20 miles east of Eureka. Montana, and 6 miles south of the Canadian border, primarily in the Teepee Creek drainage of the North Fork Flathead River.

Legal Description: Portions of T36N, T37N, R22W and R23W

Current Size: Approximately 23,600 acres Containment: 30%

Estimated Containment Date: Unknown

Threats to Human Life/Safety: Whale Creek Residents along the North Fork Road, Trail Creek Residents (approximately 50 homes/cabins), historic buildings, and Kintla Campground

Resources Threatened: Timber, Recreation, Fisheries, Class 1 Airshed, Wild & Scenic River Corridor and Private Property.

Injuries in the last 24 hours: None

Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service (Flathead National Forest), Flathead County Fire Protection District

Other Cooperating Agencies: Montana DNRC, BIA, BLM, NPS, and Glacier National Park

Resources on Fire: 30 hand crews, 7 helicopter, 72 engines, 13 dozers, 18 water tenders, 4 feller bunchers, 6 skidders, 1 excavator, numerous support and overhead for a total of approximately 1,217 personnel.

Remarks: To date: 7 houses/cabins and 29 outbuildings were lost, and 1 house/cabin damaged.

Yesterday afternoon with stronger winds and lower humidity, the fire moved North near Yakinikak creek, crossing established control lines on Trail Creek road. Precautionary evacuation notices were repeated to nearby residents.
Air Support was used yesterday, where the fire jumped the established control lines on Trail Creek.
Firefighters are still working on the 50 to 60 acre spot fire along Antley Creek drainage.
The fire in Glacier National Park was active on the east and southeast.
Water drops from Kintla Lake are planned to control the hot perimeters in that area of Glacier National Park.
Approximately one tenth of an inch of rain fell on the fire in the early morning. The firefighting efforts will be assisted today by higher humidity, cooler temperatures and lighter winds.

Community meetings at 8:30 P.M. at Polebridge.

There is no scheduled meeting for the Wedge & Robert Fires today at Columbia Falls.

Glacier National Park
P.O. Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406)888-7800
(406)888-7808 - FAX
(406)888-7806 - TDD

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Flathead National Forest
1935 3^rd Avenue, East
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406)758-5200
(406)758-5363 - FAX)
(406)758-5367 - TDD)

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