Single Publication

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 16, 2022

*The next update will be Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 


Over the past few days, cool weather and higher humidity have greatly moderated fire behavior. The Boulder Lake Fire is now approximately 1,831 acres in size with minimal fire growth since the beginning of the week. The south flank of the fire is still producing smoke and some fire activity that includes smoldering and creeping fire behavior. Early in the week, the fire received a small amount of precipitation which further moderated fire behavior. The Gold Creek Cabin remains unburned. 
 
Yesterday, crews worked to build a saw line on the south flank of the fire to prevent fire spread from an isolated pocket of heavy dead and down fuel that was actively burning outside of the Wilderness boundary. Heavy equipment continues to improve existing roads to the east of the fire for access and opportunities for containment. Helicopters may be used as needed to check fire spread as visibility and flying conditions allow. This week, engines from the MT DNRC patrolled for spot fires on the eastern flank of the fire near the Gold Creek Trailhead.
 
Cool weather and higher humidity are anticipated through the rest of the week and weekend. Fire managers continue to utilize a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the south and eastern flanks of the fire, outside of the Wilderness boundary. Containment opportunities will continue to be assessed and may include existing burn areas, natural barriers, trails, and existing road systems.

Incident Overview: The Boulder Lake Fire was reported on Sept. 3, 2022, and is burning primarily in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, east of Boulder Lake on the Missoula Ranger District. A Point-Zone Protection strategy is being utilized in the Wilderness. This strategy protects highly valued resources (such as buildings, infrastructure, or recreational assets) from the fire, utilizing various natural and geographic features (past wildfires, trails, rock, and cliff bands) while protecting other values consistent with the Rattlesnake Wilderness. Additionally, fire managers will be utilizing a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the eastern and southeastern flanks of the fire outside of the Wilderness. Containment opportunities may include existing burn scars, natural barriers, and road systems. 

FUEL TYPE Burning in heavy timber, dead and downed timber, and snag trees (overhead hazards). The Boulder Lake Fire is surrounded to the east and southeast by the Mineral Primm Fire (2003) and to the north by the Liberty Fire (2017) burned areas.

FIRE BEHAVIOR Creeping, backing, and smoldering. 

CLOSURES: An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin.

CLOSED AREAS:

• Access is closed to Boulder Lake, Fly Lake, and Gold Creek Lake. 
• Gold Creek Cabin (Forest Service structure).

• Boulder Lake Trail #333, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Road #4323 to milepost 5.4 at Boulder Lake. 
• Boulder Point Trail #334, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #333 to milepost 0.2 at the end of the trail. 
• Fly Lake Trail #336, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Trail #518 to milepost 1.3 at Fly Lake. 
• Porcupine Creek Trail #504, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Rattlesnake Creek Trail #515 to milepost 4.1 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Creek Trail #518, from milepost 0.0 at trailhead on Road #16859 to milepost 4.9 at its junction with Trail #333. 
• Gold Cabin (Lower Gold Ridge) Trail #519, from milepost 0.0 at its junction with Trail #518 to the end of the trail. 

• Gold Creek Road NFSR #126, from milepost 10.1 at its junction with Road #2118 to the end of the road at milepost 12.5.
• Gold Ridge Road NFSR #2118, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Creek Road #126 to milepost 3.4 at the gate.
• Gold Ridge Meadows Road NFSR #2121, from milepost 0.0 at junction with Gold Ridge Road #2118 to milepost 4.3 at the gate.
• Upper Gold Peak Spur NFSR #16859, from junction with Road #2121 to the end of the road at milepost 1.2.