Weasel Fire grows to more than 2,500 acres, crosses into Canada

The Weasel Fire grew significantly late last week, increasing from 170 acres to more than 2,500 as of Monday morning as winds from the Southwest drove it onto the Flathead National Forest and into Canada.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, about half the fire is burning in the U.S.

According to Kootenai National Forest officials, the fire made an extended run northeast toward Frozen Lake. The fire continues to burn in heavy dense fuels in difficult terrain.

There are some new closures due to the fire, including the Pacific Northwest Trail. For more information on the closure area, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/8290/70316/.

Officials are asking people to be aware that heavy equipment is operating on the Grave Creek Road (Road 114) from Clarence Creek to Foundation/Creek Road, and to be cautious.

The Kootenai and Flathead National Forests and Canadian Fire Managers are coordinating suppression efforts.

Officials project ground fire will continue to smolder and creep with moderate to low fire behavior. Isolated and group tree torching is possible. Fire will continue to spread in all directions due to heavy timber, but minimal fire growth is expected.

Fire managers' plans are to continue providing for firefighter and public safety as well as protecting the Weasel Cabin, Wam Lookout, and other natural resources.

The lightning-caused fire, located about 14 miles northeast of Eureka in the Ten Lakes Scenic Area, was detected Saturday, July 30, near the Weasel Cabin turnoff. The historic Weasel Cabin was built in 1943. Forest Service officials said the cabin was wrapped on Aug. 2 for protection. The Wam Fire Tower was wrapped on Aug. 5.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the fire is experiencing moderate, isolated torching.

The fire is burning in steep terrain in sub alpine fir and spruce with a substantial amount of blowdown and snags.

A Type 3 team from Libby took over the fire on Aug. 2. Jeff Stevenson and Danial Lemer are the Type 3 Incident Commander and Incident Commander trainee, respectively.

Grave Creek Road (Forest Service Road 319) remains closed from Foundation Creek Trailhead north to the end of FS Road 319. Big and Little Therriault campgrounds are closed.

Fire officials are asking people to avoid the area. For those who must travel up Grave Creek Road, they are asked to drive slowly and watch for fire personnel in the area.

Seventy-six personnel are battling the fire along with bulldozers, a water tender and a helicopter primarily being used for bucket drops.

Kootenai National Forest officials raised the fire danger level to very high on Aug. 1 with hot temperatures, low relative humidity and extended time without measurable precipitation.

When the fire danger is "very high,” fires will start easily from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and have a quick increase in intensity, right after ignition. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirls. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.

Temperatures cooled a bit over the weekend, but according to the National Weather Service, are forecast to rise in the Eureka area

High pressure will set up over the fire area through Tuesday, which will bring hot and dry conditions to the fire area.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the mid to upper 90s through Saturday.

For more information, contact the Ksanka Ranger District at 406-296-2536.