A dry lightning storm overnight on July 30 caused several starts on the Flathead National Forest, including the Ridge Fire. The fire is burning in steep terrain with heavy dead and down fuels while showing active growth on all sides of the fire, but mainly moving to the south and east. The Ridge Fire is a full suppression fire and firefighters responded quickly using indirect tactics by creating fuel breaks along existing roads.

Current actions are to keep the fire away from Martin City and the private land west of FS Rd 38. The fire progressed southeast and crossed FS Road 38. A MANDATORY EVACUATION NOTICE is in effect for all public traffic from the junction of FS Road 38 (East Side Road) and FS Road 497 (Desert Mountain Road). FS Road 38 (East Side Road) is closed to all public travel from the junction FS Road 497 (Desert Mountain Road) and FS Road 38.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team (Northern Rockies Team 9) assumed command of the fire at 6:00 am on August 3. The fire is located 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse, MT.