Weather briefly works in fire crews' favor
The Doe Run Trail runs through the center of the Boulder 2700 Fire burn scar. (InciWeb)
A burning stairway resembles a lava flow as the Boulder 2700 Fire scorches the east shore of Flathead Lake in the early morning of Sunday, Aug. 1. (Courtesy of Nathan Smith)
A helicopter assigned to the Boulder 2700 Fire draws water from Flathead Lake. (InciWeb)
The Boulder 2700 Fire map for Monday, Aug. 9. (InciWeb)
A Skycrane helicopter crew fills up a tank from Flathead Lake. (Deana Harms/InciWeb)
Fire crews continue to mop up after and keep a sharp eye on the Boulder 2700 Fire on Flathead Lake’s east shore.
A weekend of wet weather helped crews gain ground, although it was far from a season-ending rain event, fire managers said Monday.
National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Jeglum said that between an inch and 1.5 inches of rain fell in the vicinity of the Boulder 2700 Fire, "which is quite a bit for this time of year."
He described the rain as wildfire "season-slowing, not season-ending," particularly with more hot and dry weather expected later in the week.
By Friday, highs near the fire will rebound into the 90s with relative humidity near 20%, Jeglum said.
"That's definitely going to be conducive to fire behavior," he added.
Additional areas of the fire zone were opened up for residents’ re-entry over the weekend and Monday, though Highway 35 remained closed from mile markers 9 to 11 and no re-entry was being allowed there as of Tuesday. Residents between mile markers 6 and 9 can receive a re-entry permit at the Finley Point checkpoint on Highway 35 south of the fire.
A Red Cross shelter established at Linderman Elementary in Polson was still open to displaced residents Tuesday, though the number of people there had dropped significantly.
The fire began July 31, and its cause remains under investigation. During the early morning hours of the following Sunday, strong wind blew the blaze downhill toward the lake and fire managers were unable to maintain control.
Officials confirmed late last week that more than two dozen structures were destroyed, including eight homes.
By Tuesday morning the fire had grown to 2,072 acres and was 33% contained, with 276 personnel working to put it out.
No boats are allowed on Flathead Lake from Boulder Creek on the north to Station Creek on the south and a half mile out from the shoreline.
All residents in the re-entry areas of mile marker 6 through 9 and 11 through 13.5 remain in stage 2 evacuation status and should be prepared to evacuate in the event fire activity increases.
Mission Valley Power crews restored the main line through the area and are working on arterial lines to the re-entry areas.
According to the Montana State Parks website, Finley Point State Park is open but under stage II fire restrictions, as is the rest of Lake County. Campfires are not allowed. Only outdoor stoves using LP gas are allowed for cooking outdoors.
Finley Point Grill reopened with regular hours on Tuesday, and power was restored to East Shore Smoke House, though that business will remain closed until the highway fully reopens.
A Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team took over management of the fire Aug. 2 and remained in that role as of Tuesday.
Planned actions as of Tuesday included:
Mopping up the dozer line from the communications tower to the natural opening;
Mopping up along the 2700 road to just south of Boulder Creek and using aircraft to keep the fire in check east of 2700 road;
Continuing to mop-up and secure around structures on Highway 35, and mopping-up 75 feet in from the highway to the 2700 road;
And continuing to look for heat and mop-up around structures within the burn area.
While meeting with fire officials in Pablo on Thursday, Aug. 5, Gov. Greg Gianforte praised coordination among local, state, tribal and federal agencies, and said the Boulder 2700 Fire was of paramount concern as more than 60 wildfires burned across the state.
"We're in desperate need of resources on so many fires," Gianforte said. "That said, this is the No. 1 priority given the risks to these structures."
Crooks Fire at 1,000 acres
Meanwhile, in south Lake County the Crooks Fire continues to burn as well. The lightning-caused fire, located in the South Fork Jocko Primitive Area 8 miles southeast of Arlee, reached 1,000 acres as of Monday and was 0% contained. The fire is consuming thick standing and dead timber that has not seen fire in several decades and is burning in a remote area where firefighters are not able to access.
The Crooks Fire has forced two road closures: St. Mary’s to the North Fork; and the Main Jocko Road (1000 Road) is closed at the 3000 Road junction.
Official updates on both fires are available at inciweb.nwcg.gov and on the CSKT Division of Fire Facebook page.
