DAMNATION FIRE Cause: Lightning Detected: August 11, 2013 Location: Approximately 21 miles southeast of Swan Lake, MT Legal Description: Lat. 47° 40.30, Long. 113°19.59 Current size: 3650 acres Jurisdiction: USDA-FS, Northern Region, Flathead National Forest, Spotted Bear Ranger District Current Status: The fire is located along the South Fork River corridor near Damnation Creek within the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The fire is burning in areas of the 2000 burn scar of the Lewis Fire. It is being managed to allow the fire to play its natural role within the wilderness. Yesterday the fire grew to approximately 3650 acres exhibiting moderate fire behavior. The fire made a significant run in upper Lewis Creek. Vegetation around Mud Lake Lookout has burned, creating a good blackened area surrounding the lookout cabin. This will further help to protect the lookout cabin by having all burnable vegetation consumed. The fire has moved down toward the East Side Trail #80 and has crossed the trail in a few places near Damnation and Lewis Creeks. As conditions have remained hot and dry, forest fuels are drying out and the fire is burning more readily in the green trees. However there have only been a few areas where the fire has gotten into the crowns of the trees. Most of the fire has stayed on the ground and is consuming mostly downed woody material. Structure protection has been completed at Mud Lake Lookout, Salmon Forks Cabin, Big Salmon Creek Bridge and Little Salmon Creek Bridge. The cabin and barn were wrapped with fire resistant material while the bridges have been protected by the placement of sprinklers on the bridge structures. Today fire crew members are assessing fire growth as the fire crossed the East Side Trail and is moving toward the South Fork of the Flathead River. For public safety concerns and with the increased fire activity along the East Side Trail #80, trail users are be directed by on-the-ground trail personnel to the West Side Trail #263. Trail and river contacts continue to inform trail and river users of fire activity and conditions. Resources: 12 Forest Service personnel are stationed in Salmon Forks/Damnation Creek area to support structure protection at the cabin and Mud Lake Lookout, monitor fire conditions, and make contacts with trail and river parties to assure all parties are kept current with fire information. Closures: Helen Creek Trail #100, Trail in the Mist Trail #220, Hodag Creek Trail #701, and the Mud Lake Lookout Trail #470 are closed for public safety. Although other trails around the fire are open, caution is advised as fire conditions can change quickly. Smoke is to be expected when traveling in this area.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 22:44:32 +0000