Single Publication

Total Acres: 645
Containment: 15%
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 miles west of Kalispell near Marion
Personnel: 210

Highlights: The Lemonade Fire has reached 15% containment, with extensive use of heavy equipment backed up by hand crews. A secondary cold front pushing through the area has lowered temperatures, moderating fire behavior. In addition, the northeast to east wind shift today will help push the fire back into itself on the northwest side. However, the southwest perimeter is of some concern with the wind direction change and the heavy fuels there. 

Operations: Progress continues with the strategies being implemented. From the southeast corner moving north, crews continue to put in fireline with heavy equipment, and hand crews are putting in hoses to use water for mopping up the fire's edge.

Yesterday the equipment line was constructed off the ridge on the northeast side to get around several spot fires. A helicopter dropped water to cool these spots. On the north, a type 2 initial attack crew is looking for opportunities to fight the fire directly. Equipment operators will work to get a line around the northern point.

Equipment operators are putting in a machine line on the west perimeter. Another type 2 initial attack crew is working in a plantation on the northwest side, laying hoses to use water to back up the machine line.

On the southwest perimeter, equipment operators are using feller bunchers to construct machine lines. Crews will grid for and extinguish hot spots on the south. Additionally, a felling module will address hazard trees so hand crews and engines can work safely. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will be 60-65 degrees in the fire area today, with 21-26% relative humidity. Wind speeds will vary at different parts of the fire but will be northeast to east 2-12 with gusts to 16 mph. A few sprinkles are possible, but nothing will result in significant precipitation. There is potential for spotting outside of the fire near the western point in any areas of indirect line construction. Plantations occur frequently and are still serving as areas of much-reduced fire behavior, if not barriers to spread.

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 forecasts. 

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