Wildfire Incident Information
Terrain
Satellite
OSM
This fire is no longer active
30% contained
Fire Status
OUT
Last Updated
4 years, 2 months ago
Fire Start
Monday, August 17, 2020 11:22 AM MDT
Incident #
2020-MTHLF-005082
Fuels
Timber/sub-alpine
Dispatch Notes
Contain: 10/15/20 1315 | Out: 11/16/20 1000
Primary Fire Agency

US Forest Service — Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest

Current Weather

Fire Growth Potential

Fire Weather Forecast

Incident Overview

Inciweb information was updated: 4 years, 6 months ago

Incident Photo for the Wood Lake Fire

The Wood Lake Fire was reported by the Prairie Reef lookout at 10am on Monday, August 17th with an estimated size of 3 acres. By 6 p.m. the same day its growth was estimated at 50 acres with active fire behavior and spotting a quarter of a mile ahead of the fire front. The fire is in steep, rugged terrain on the upper third of a north-facing slope. Crews constructed containment line to reinforce the retardant drops where the file had potential to advance toward Benchmark road.  The other portions of the fire burned into scabby timber and rock and the fire lost momentum to move.   Since containment line cannot be built within the rock, and the snag component within the perimeter poses a serious risk to firefighters, the 30% containment status will remain indefinitely.  On 8/23, the fire was transferred back to a type-IV incident commander, and most of the resources assigned to the fire were demobilized on 8/23 & 8/24.  As of 9/3, a type-V incident commander is in charge of this fire. Rocky Mountain Ranger District personnel will continue to patrol and mop up until seasonal weather terminates this fire. 

Basic Incident Details

Incident Type
Wildfire
Cause
Lightning
Date of Origin
Monday, August 17, 2020 10:22 AM MDT
Location
Township 19 North; Range 10 West; Section 12.
21 miles west of Augusta, Montana
Incident Commander
Cody Seccombe, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type V
Coordinates
47.401, -112.791

Current Situation

Total Personnel
16
Size (Acres)
87
Containment
30%
Estimated Containment
Monday, August 31, 2020 12:00 AM MDT
Fuels Involved
Heavy timber, litter and understory consisting of sub-alpine fir.
Significant Events
This fire is now in a patrol status.

Planned Outlook

Planned Actions
The Lewis and Clark Wildland Fire Module module continues to monitor this fire as part of it's routine fire patrol. Fire activity is minimal.
Projected Incident Activity
Please note: The increase in acreage from 8/21 resulted from greater accuracy in determining fire size with a helicopter vs the size estimation previously done with a fixed wing aircraft. The potential for further fire growth is minimal.
Remarks
All trail, camping, and picnicking closures associated with this fire have been lifted.

Weather Synopsis

Weather Concerns
Hot, dry, and windy conditions.

Fire Incident Contact

Incident Contact
Duane Buchi
Email: duane.buchi@usda.gov
Phone: (406) 750-8934
Hours: Sun - Sat 7am - 7pm
Fire Unit Information
Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
2880 Skyway Drive
Helena, MT 59602

Dispatch Center Contact

Great Falls Interagency Dispatch Center (MT-GDC)

Great Falls, MT

406-731-5300

https://gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/dc/mtgdc/index.htm