Wind spurs growth of wildfires in Bull Gin Complex
An aerial view of the Bull Gin Complex Fire taken at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Wednesday’s wind did fire crews no favors as they worked to battle three fires in the Bull Gin Complex on the Kootenai National Forest.
The trio of fires is now more than 1,400 acres in size and two of them saw growth due to gusty winds that drove fire fighters from one of the blazes.
A public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Noxon Volunteer Fire Department.
According to the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 7, led by Incident Commander John Thompson, the complex is 0% contained. An infrared flight occurred just before 10 p.m. Wednesday provided updated acreage for each of the three fires.
The Government Fire (527 acres) is located two miles northeast of Noxon, the Billiard Fire (684 acres) is located two miles northeast of Heron and the Isabella Lake Fire (207 acres) is in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
According to fire managers, the Government Fire grew 200 acres Wednesday with growth occurring on the north and west sides of the fire. Fire activity increased around 1 p.m. and actively backed down toward Government Creek approaching the 150 Road. Due to fire activity and winds, firefighters and heavy equipment were pulled from the west side of the fire until they could safely re-engage.
Thursday, firefighters planned to assess new fire growth and reinforce constructed fireline on the west end of the fire. Multiple hand crews planned to work along the Rock Creek Road toward the Rock Creek Trailhead to clear vegetation and create viable fireline.
Heavy equipment continued to clear vegetation along roads on the west and east sides of the fire. Engine crews planned to test installed water systems around private structures which utilize portable water tanks to provide water to sprinklers via hose lays. Aviation support is available to slow fire spread as needed.
The Billiard Fire grew 100 acres Wednesday on the west side and reached the 2209 road. Interior burning occurred as well and the strip of unburned fuels was consumed creating a contiguous fire area. Thursday, firefighters sought to assess new fire growth and work to secure the fire’s edge along Road 2209. Goals for crews and heavy equipment were to improve access and potential fire lines.
On the Isabella Lake Fire, there was minimal growth, less than 50 acres, on Tuesday and Wednesday. The fire is burning in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness between the East Fork of Bull River and Isabella Creek, west of Isabella Lake and north of Saint Paul Lake. The fire remains unstaffed and monitored from the air.
Area, road, and trail closures are in place for all three fires to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. More detailed information regarding closures can be found on Inciweb or the Kootenai National Forest webpage.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for cooler temperatures, daytime highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, with northwest winds 10 to 15 mph and gusting up to 20 mph on the ridgetops.