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Lemonade Fire

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Unit Information

650 Wolfpack Way 
Kalispell, 
59901 
650 Wolfpack Way 
Kalispell, 
59901 

Incident Contacts

  • Tally Lake Ranger District
    Email:
    ivy.gehling@usda.gov
    Phone:
    406-758-5204
    Hours:
    M-F 8:00 a - 5:00 p

Daily Update - September 6, 2022

Lemonade Fire
Publication Type: News 09/06/2022

Total Acres: 593
Containment: 0%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 157

Highlights: While additional resources continue to come in to fight the Lemonade Fire, many other fires are burning throughout the Northern Rockies and neighboring geographic areas. Crews, equipment, aircraft, and other resources will be prioritized and coordinated throughout the region. 

A Red Flag Warning is in effect Wednesday for strong winds and low humidity. 

Operations: A heavy equipment task force and hand crews continue to make progress constructing firelines on the southeast and east sides of the fire, working north.

On the northwest perimeter, the fire has been significantly slowed in areas where slash treatment has been done in timber harvest areas. These treated areas are moderating fire behavior and helping considerably with the suppression efforts. Fire managers will seek opportunities to use heavy equipment to construct lines connecting timber plantations and other treated areas.

Yesterday air tankers conducted retardant drops on the southwest side of the fire to help slow the fire's spread. Air resources, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, will continue to support firefighters as needed.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Temperatures will be in the upper 70s in the fire area today, with relative humidity as low as 13-18%. Winds will be southwest around 6-10 with gusts to 15 mph. Areas with prior fuel treatments on the northern perimeter are contributing significantly to slowing the fire spread in that direction. Heavy dead and down timber continue to carry the fire. However, the fire is not burning as readily on northern slopes where live fuels like grass and shrubs have higher moisture levels.

Evacuations:  Currently, there are no evacuations; however, one property is under pre-evacuation notice.

Closures: Griffin Creek Road (NFS #538) and Forest Service Trails 210, 211, and 287 are closed to the public. The closures are for public and firefighter safety as equipment, crews and aircraft are working extensively in the area.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area, including the use of drones. Remember, if you fly, we can't. 

Smoke: Visit https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/smokeforecasts for Montana Department of Environmental Quality smoke outlooks. 

Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Phone: 406-272-4859| Email: 2022.lemonade@firenet.gov 

Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8379/ | www.facebook.com/discovertheflathead https://twitter.com/flatheadnf