Single Publication

Boulder Lake Fire Update - Sept. 11, 2022

The Boulder Lake Fire is now approximately 1,700 acres in size due to fire growth on the south flank of the fire. Fire behavior on the south flank includes surface fire with isolated single tree torching, short-range spotting, and creeping in heavy dead and down fuels with a high concentration of overhead hazards. The Gold Creek cabin remains unburned. Point protection of the cabin will continue as needed using helicopter bucket drops to check any fire spread toward the cabin.
 
Heavy equipment is operating south of the fire working to improve existing roads for access and control lines. Today, multiple helicopters will work to conduct water bucket drops along the south flank to check fire spread and moderate fire activity in coordination with firefighters on the ground. MT DNRC engines continue to seek out and extinguish spot fires on the north flank of the fire near the Gold Creek Trailhead.
 
Hot and dry conditions will persist today and tomorrow, which may increase fire activity and smoke production over the next several days. Cooler weather is forecasted for the middle of the week. Smoke may be visible from Missoula, upper Gold Creek, the Ninemile Prairie Road area, and parts of Seeley Lake.
 
Fire managers continue to utilize a confine and contain suppression strategy to engage the south and eastern flanks of the fire, outside of the Wilderness boundary. Containment opportunities will continue to be assessed and may include existing burn areas, natural barriers, trails, and existing road systems.
 
FUEL TYPE Burning in heavy timber, dead and downed timber, and snag trees (overhead hazards) with a mixed conifer/subalpine fir fuel component. The Boulder Lake Fire is surrounded to the east and southeast by the Mineral Primm Fire (2003) and to the north by the Liberty Fire (2017) burned areas.
 
FIRE BEHAVIOR Occasional single tree torching and wind-driven runs, creeping, and smoldering. Fire activity is expected to increase in the afternoons with warm and dry conditions. 
 
CLOSURES An area closure is in place for public safety and includes all National Forest lands in the Boulder Lake basin. Please refer to the Closures Page  on Inciweb.