Wildfire Incident Report

Prepared: Thursday, March 6, 2025 1:30:15 PM MST

Wildfire Incident Report


Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center
La Grande, OR, USA
www.fireweatheravalanche.org
Incident #
2020-MTHLF-005082
FWAC Incident ID
136259
Incident Name
Wood Lake Fire
Last Updated
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 11:40 AM MST
(4 years, 2 months ago)
Fire Reported
Monday, August 17, 2020 11:22 AM MDT
(4 years, 6 months ago)
State
Montana
Incident Type
Wildfire
Location
7.3 miles W of Augusta, MT
Responsible Agency
US Forest Service
Responsible Fire Unit
Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest
Fuels
Timber/sub-alpine
Notes
Contain: 10/15/20 1315 | Out: 11/16/20 1000
Current Weather

Fire Growth Potential
Fire Weather Forecast
Incident Overview

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. 

Incident Type
Wildfire
Cause
Lightning
Date of Origin
Monday August 17th, 2020 approx. 10:22 AM
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
Total Personnel
16
Size (Acres)
87
Containment
30%
Estimated Containment Date
Monday August 31st, 2020 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved
Heavy timber, litter and understory consisting of sub-alpine fir.
Significant Events
This fire is now in a patrol status.
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 Concerns
Hot, dry, and windy conditions.
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 Contact
Great Falls Interagency Dispatch Center | Great Falls, MT
Phone: 406-731-5300
Website: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/dc/mtgdc/index.htm
Incident Map

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