Confederated Salish& Kootenai Tribes

Division of Fire

Fire Information: 406-676-2550

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSKT.Division.of.Fire/

Big Knife Fire Update

July 30, 2023

Start Date: July 24, 2023 Cause: Lightning

Location: 5 miles east of Arlee, Montana.
Estimated Size:721 acres Containment: 0%
Personnel: 106 fire fighters and command staff
Incident Command: Local Type 3 organization, Art Trahan, Incident Commander.

*COMMUNITY MEETING July 30, 2023 6 p.m. at the Arlee Tribal Community Center*

Evacuation information: Several homes were put into a WARNING on July 28. There are currently NO
mandatory evacuations. To sign-up for emergency alerts for Lake County go to https://signup.hyper-
reach.com/hyper_reach/sign_up_page_2/?id=95122. To sign-up for emergency alerts with Missoula County go
to https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/public-safety/office-of-emergency-management/emergency-
preparedness

RED FLAG WARNING: Red Flag Warning from 3 PM TO 9 PM MDT

* Affected area: Fire Zone 107 (Flathead Reservation). The combination of gusty winds and low humidity will
result in critical fire weather conditions Sunday afternoon and evening. West winds will be 10 to 20 mph with
gusts of 25 to 35 mph and humidities decreasing 7 to 15 percent.

Closures: The Canal Road, from Mountain Home Road to the Jocko Canyon Road is closed.

Yesterday: Active fire behavior remained across the fire area throughout the day, July 29. Fire fighters
prioritized structure protection around the homes on the east side closest to the fire. This included putting in
sprinkler systems, setting up hoses and water pumps to use to defend structures in the event the fire comes
closer to homes. A burn-out operation was conducted on the east flank to reduce trees and brush between the
fire and structures. This created an area that will allow fire fighters to more safely engage the fire if it moves
farther east. Aircraft support was effective all throughout the day. A spot fire was observed in Blodgett Creek
and aircraft were able to hold it in place, while a crew of fire fighters hiked in and extinguished the spot.

Current and planned activity:

Today’s priority will remain in the wildland urban interface where the homes meet the forest, on the fires west
flank. Structure protection equipment will remain and fire fighters will monitor residential areas throughout the
day. Due to an increase in fire starts in the area, cooperators assisting in the Big Knife fire have been released to
home units for initial attack response.

Fire crews will continue to work on fuel break preparation along the S Canal road. This break is being
implemented to create a point for fire fighters to engage the fire in the event the fire moves west toward homes.
Aircraft will also continue to support fire fighters on the ground with helicopters and fixed-wing.

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