8/21/2021 Daily Update for West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire)

Thorne Creek Fire Statistics

• Location: 5 miles NE of Thompson Falls
• Date of Origin: 7/7/2021
• Cause: Lightning
• Acres: 38,688
• Containment: 24%
• Injuries: 5

Resources

• Crews: 3
• Dozers: 1
• Engines: 21
• Skidgens: 2
• Helicopters: 4
• Water Tenders: 14
• Personnel: 364

Summary: The overall strategy for the West Lolo Complex (Thorne Creek Fire) is to limit fire spread so that it does not impact state and private lands. Additional firing operations are unlikely as rain continues to drive fire activity down and containment goes up.

Showers and isolated thunderstorms kept fire activity to a minimum for the third day in a row yesterday, allowing firefighters to increase containment to 24 percent. Heavy fuels continued to smolder and smoke.

Firefighters are working to create a continuous fuel break from Thompson River Road to Fishtrap to slow eastward progression of the fire onto state and private lands if it reaches that area.

The Thompson River Zone is now pre-evacuation status and open to residents only.

Thompson River Road, the Deer Horn and Beatrice Road systems, and West Fork of Fishtrap Creek Road (including the campground) remain closed.

Yesterday: Showers and isolated thunderstorms kept fire activity to a minimum for the third day in a row yesterday allowing firefighters to increase containment to 24 percent. Division Charlie/Zulu/Papa continued mop up and removing excess supplies. Division November moved up Thompson River Road, hitting hotspots, mopping up and removing supplies. In Division Juliet crews finished putting in line around the 17-acre slopover north of the mechanical line along Sundance Ridge. In Division Hotel, crews assessed the 7685 Road system for a potential future control line. Division Echo worked on construction of the line connecting into the road system. The Structure Protection Group completed their assessment of Fishtrap and Big Prairie and converted to an Initial Attack crew to respond to any new fires within the area.

Today: Division Charlie/Zulu/Papa will continue to mop up and repair where appropriate and remove excess equipment. Division November will continue mop up, secure containment lines and evaluate the need to leave structure protection in Snider and Liver. Division Echo will continue improvements to create a potential control line along the 7685 Road system to Fishtrap Creek Road. Divisions Hotel and Juliet will reduce fuels along Fishtrap Creek Road and scout for control features north of Priscilla Peak. In Division Juliet, firefighters will also continue to mop up the slopover north of the mechanical line along Sundance Ridge.

Evacuations: The Thompson River Zone is now in pre-evacuation status and open to residents only.

Weather: A low pressure system moved in very early this morning and already has brought in 0.1-0.5 inches of rain on the fire. Rain will continue throughout the day with cooler temperatures. Scattered thunderstorms are likely and could have erratic gusty winds. Breezy southwest winds will develop as rain exits the area beginning a slow warming and drying trend for the start of next week.

Closures and Additional Information:

• A temporary fight restriction is in place and available at tfr.faa.gov.
• Thompson River Road, the Deer Horn and Beatrice Road system, and the West Fork of Fishtrap Creek Road (including the campground) remain closed.
• The Thorne Creek Fire is a No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit www.knowbeforeyoufly.org. 
• Information Boards are in Thompson Falls at Ainsworth Park, Harvest Foods and Wild Goose Landing and in Plains at the U.S. Forest Service Ranger District. Local businesses also are posting maps and updates and sharing information cards.
• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Forest closure information is available on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.
• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect. Visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more.
• Ready, Set, GO! Wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at www.dnrc.mt.gov.
• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit www.firewise.org for more information.