Big Relief!
Evacuation warning lifted for Hay Creek Fire
Author: Oliver Meister
Come and visit us @ the North Fork Hostel & Inn
Fire Update August 9, 2021
Hay Creek Fire
Flathead National Forest, Montana
STATISTICS
• Location: 4 miles west of Polebridge, MT
- Date of Origin: July 21, 2021
- Cause: Lightning
- Total fire acres: 2,894 acres
- Containment: 23%
August 9, 2021
INFORMATION
- Phone: (406) 219-1013, 8 am to 8 pm
- Email: 2021.HayCreek@firenet.gov
- InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7712/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlatheadNF
RESOURCES
• Engines: 14
• 1 Type 2 Crew
• 2 Heavy Equipment Task Forces (dozers, skidgines, excavators, water tenders)
• Helicopters: 2
• Personnel: 210
• Total gallons of water dropped: 754,940
• Fixed-wing flight hrs: 32 • Helicopter flight hrs: 110
INCIDENT UPDATE
An inch of rain fell across the fire over the weekend. Crews are using mechanical equipment to reduce fuels along the Spruce Creek Road and reinforcing shaded fuel breaks being used as contingency lines. Hand prep work is being done along the Red Meadow Road to use as an egress route in case of an evacuation in the area south of the fire. Aircraft did not fly yesterday due to weather.
No additional fire spread was seen on Sunday due to rain. Today the fire will continue to be active only in more sheltered areas that received less moisture, with heavy fuels that are still holding heat. A recon flight is scheduled to happen today to assess the fire. Resources at risk, including private structures and cultural and natural resources in both the Park and Forest continue to be assessed and protected. There will be a community meeting at the Sondreson Hall on Wednesday, August 11, at 6:00 pm.
EVACUATIONS
Evacuation Warnings include all residences east and west of the North Fork Road from Home Ranch Bottoms north to Moose Creek Road and the community of Polebridge. Glacier National Park has issued an Evacuation Warning for the North Fork area of Glacier National Park north of Logging Creek. See details at https://go.usa.gov/xFjcA and Current Fire Information – Glacier National Park.
CLOSURES
Road and trail closures are in place. See details at InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7712/62192/.
WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY
The chance of rain decreases today, with clouds dissipating after morning. Highs will be in the upper 50s to upper 60s, warming into Tuesday. Expect morning fog Monday into Tuesday. The rest of the week is forecast to return to warmer, dryer weather.
Travelers should drive defensively, due to fire traffic and road construction in the area. For the most current fire weather forecast go to https://www.weather.gov/wrh/fire?wfo=mso. For smoke and air quality go tohttp://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/. For current visibility in Glacier NP seehttps://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm.
INCIDENT BACKGROUND
The Hay Creek Fire was reported on the evening of July 21, 2021. It is burning in the North Fork area of the Flathead National Forest at 5,200 – 7,100 feet of elevation and is being managed under a full suppression strategy.
Public and firefighter safety is the number one priority. The fire has no reported injuries to date.
Montana is experiencing EXTREME fire danger; Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect with campfires prohibited. Know Before You Go- Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for additional Montana fire restrictions.
Hay Creek Fire
The North Fork Hostel & the Square Peg Ranch are under an Evacuation Warning (pre evacuation) by Flathead County due to the Hay Creek Fire.
More can be found here:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7712/
VISITING THE NORTH FORK HOSTEL DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC:
Lower Your Expectations!
We are open by reservation only until September 15.
Please maintain Social Distancing while on Premises at all times.
Because of CoViD19 please read and follow these guidelines while at the North Fork Hostel:
- No Walk-ins, reservations only
- Only registered guests are allowed on premises
- Always maintain social distance (6 feet or 2 meters)
- Back out of a situation if that cannot be maintained or you feel uncomfortable
- Wash or sanitize hands frequently
- Wear face mask in common areas if there are other guests around
- Limit your time in common areas
- Bring mask, gloves and sanitizer in addition to your usual hosteling gear!
Additional in Kitchen Use:
- Always request permission to enter if another party is using the kitchen
- Only one party should use the kitchen at one time
- Sanitize all surfaces and utensils before and after use
Additional in Shower and Washroom:
- Wipe and spray all surfaces down before and after use
- Communicate with other guests about shower use
Thanks and please contact Oliver with any questions or concerns.
The North Fork Hostel and the Pandemic
These are strange times calling for strange measures. I am still not quite sure how to deal with the new situation regarding the hostel. Here are my ideas so far and that is, of course, all depending on the situation and latest developments:
This year, 2020, the North Fork Hostel will probably reopen for the summer season on June 15 and close September 15. We will be open for reservations only. These reservations have to be made at least 3 days in advance. There will be no shared sleeping arrangements; if one party has booked into a dormitory it will essential become their private room. Shower and kitchen access will be limited, details still need to be worked out.
Everybody needs to insure to follow social distancing guidelines. Be also sure to follow all CDC and state recommendations and please wear a mask while in the common areas in the hostel.
Thanks and please contact Oliver with any questions or concerns.
Skiing trips to Bowman Lake
Here are some photos from my trips up to Bowman Lake this winter.
Hostel Frontyard last fall
Charlie Wise Homestead Fire
The Charlie Wise Homestead Cabin will not be available for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately there was a fire at the homestead cabin on October 5 last year. The damage is extensive, it destroyed the roof and its supporting structure and everything inside was lost.
Reconstruction will start this summer. I think the main log structure is salvageable but I don’t know yet which direction it will go.
I was working in and around the cabin, cleaning up the yard, stocking the woodpile, replacing beds, armchairs and tables. I did lite the wood stove for some heat and late afternoon while working in the yard we noticed the cabin being full of smoke. I did try to get inside but a wall of black smoke made it impossible. A friend emptied his fire extinguisher through the window into the corner where the wood stove was and I got my pump going that was still in the creek next to the cabin. We started to pump creek water into the cabin but with no noticeable effect. Several passerby helped in the effort. We got a bigger pump from the hostel. Blankenship, Columbia Falls and Bad Rock fire departments responded. We figured it took 6 to 7 hours between when we discovered the fire until it was out. Here are pictures from the day after:
More Smoke in the North Fork
Controlled burns in the National Forest just outside Polebridge are signaling the end of another long Fire Season. Traditionally these fires help to restore a more historical fire regime to the ecosystem, improve wildlife habitat and reduce hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk and aid in potential future fire suppression efforts and improve wildlife habitat.
Hostel closed for the Season
Due to smoke and threats from area wildfires the North Fork Hostel and Square Peg Ranch will close for the 2018 Season.
Smoke has lead to poor air quality and fires have prompted several evacuation orders and warnings on the west side of Glacier Park and the North Fork.
No significant rain has fallen and is not in the immediate forecast.