Single Publication

The Bull Gin Complex is comprised of three wildland fires - the Government Fire, Billiard Fire, and Isabella Lake Fire. The complex is currently 834 acres and 0% contained.

An infrared flight occurred at 9:00 p.m. yesterday evening providing updated acreage for each of the three fires.

Government Fire: 202 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire: 473 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 159 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)
 

Current and Planned Activity

Government Fire: Yesterday, crews began to install water systems consisting of sprinklers, pumps, and hoses around private structures along Government Road and Timber Ridge Road. The fire crossed over into Miller Creek and spotted onto the ridge to the east despite helicopter support with bucket drops. Today, efforts will focus on constructing a shaded fuel break with heavy equipment removing fuels along the 150 road (Government Creek) to slow fire spread to the west. Aviation support is available to aid in slowing fire spread to the east.

Billiard Fire: The fire grew to the west as it reached more available dead and down fuel on the surface. Hand crews constructed indirect fireline as they removed brush and other fuels along Fatman Road. On the southwest end of the fire area, heavy equipment and crews are prepping a shaded fuel break from road 2294 and the junction Fatman Road towards Blue Creek Road. Aviation support is available to aid in slowing fire spread to the west.

Isabella Lake Fire: Located in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness between the East Fork of Bull River and Isabella Creek, west of Isabella Lake and north of Saint Paul Lake. Local resources from the Cabinet Ranger District wrapped the bridge on Trail 646 providing point protection. Today, the fire will be unstaffed and monitored from the air.

Closures: Area and trail closures are in place for the Government Fire and the Isabella Lake Fire to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. Closures are pending for the Billiard Fire area between Hwy 56 and Hwy 200. More detailed information regarding closures can be found on Inciweb and Facebook.

Weather: Lighter, terrain driven winds with warmer drier temperatures are expected today. A red flag warning is in effect for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 7, 2022.