Tag Archives: Coal Ridge Fire

Fire status meeting at Sondreson Hall, Aug 28, 6pm

Sondreson Hall, circa 2010
Sondreson Hall, circa 2010

Heads up! There’s a community meeting at Sondreson Hall  on Tuesday, August 28, at 6:00pm, to discuss area fire control efforts.

Fire personal will provide an update on current fire conditions and then spotlight the containment features they have added for the future.

As before, BYOR (bring your own refreshments) — plus a little extra. If it goes like the last time, the firefighters will ensure there are no leftovers.

Storm system sparked fires across valley; Coal Ridge Fire out

The Copper King Fire makes its initial run on Sunday, July 31, 2016
The Copper King Fire makes its initial run on Sunday, July 31, 2016

Locally, the Coal Ridge Fire, a small, 0.2 acre blaze on the south face of Coal Ridge about 6 miles southwest of Polebridge, was declared out yesterday afternoon.

The Flathead Beacon has a good summary of other fires in the Flathead Valley . . .

The storm system that passed through the Flathead Valley earlier this week sparked several new wildfires on the Flathead National Forest in the Swan Lake Ranger District, the agency announced.

Smoke has been visible this week throughout the valley due to the Copper King Fire, which has burned 27,788 acres near Thompson Falls. More than 838 personnel are battling the blaze.

The Cold Lake fire is on the ridge just south of Lower Cold Lake and is approximately 10 acres in size, in sub-alpine fir, and has several small spot fires. There are seven smoke jumpers and a 21-person initial attack crew assigned to the fire. A Type 1 helicopter and a Type 3 helicopter were conducting bucket work to help suppression efforts.

Read more . . .

Coal Ridge Fire ‘controlled’

Coal Ridge - remains of old lookout - W. K. Walker
Coal Ridge – remains of old lookout – W. K. Walker

According to a recent report, the Coal Ridge Fire is now “controlled.” It is located 6 miles southwest of Polebridge (or 1.5 miles ESE of the location pictured above), high up on the south face of the ridge above Coal Creek Road.

The 0.2 acre blaze was spotted late Tuesday afternoon. Fire personnel dropped on it the next day.