The Forest Service has reported no significant changes to the Ninko Creek Fire since Sunday, but they did post a new, more detailed topographic map today. According to the map legend, they’ve bumped the size of the burn up to 662 acres from the previously estimated 500.
The Ninko Creek Fire didn’t generate much in the way of news Tuesday. Apparently, it is still at about 500 acres and, with cooler, moister weather moving in, isn’t likely to do anything exciting very soon.
The Flathead National Forest posted a couple of aerial photos to the Inciweb log.
Also, here is the latest (September 29th) GeoMAC map showing the extent of the burn:
According to this morning’s InciWeb update, the Ninko Creek Fire is about 500 acres in size. From the “remarks” section of the report . . .
The west flank is holding well. The center of the fire is burning the hottest in steep and hazardous terrain. The north side of the ridge is holding well. The fire has burned into a portion of the 2003 Wedge Fire.
Check the InciWeb Ninko Creek Fire page for further details, including road closure information . . .
The Daily Inter Lake posted their daily fire summary late last night. Among other things, it appears the Ninko Creek Fire had grown to 500 acres as of Sunday evening.
High winds late into Saturday night fanned fires across western Montana.
Sustained gusts as high as 30 mph in some places with even stronger winds in higher elevations led to increased fire activity in many of the area’s active wildfires, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Yesterday’s stiff winds blew up the Ninko Creek Fire to 500 acres from the previous 35. Here’s the latest information, as reported by the Flathead Beacon . . .
The Ninko Creek Fire located approximately 40 miles north of Columbia Falls in the Whale Creek Drainage on the Flathead National Forest had increased fire activity on Saturday, September 26. The fire increased to approximately 500 acres and is burning towards the 2003 Wedge Fire. The fire remains to the north of Forest Road #10355. Resources assigned to the incident include the Flathead Hot Shot Crew, several fire engines including two contract engines, and aerial resources. Forest Roads #318, #9805 and #907, Whale Creek, Ninko Creek and Wedge Canyon Roads, are closed at this time. Trail closures in the area are anticipated as well.
This one’s becoming a nuisance, folks.
If you want to keep an eye on things, see the InciWeb listing for the Ninko Fire.
Strong, gusty winds accompanying a cold frontal passage this evening may fan area fires. The Daily Inter Lake has a write-up, including some discussion of the Ninko Creek Fire north of Whale Creek . . .
A fire red flag warning has been issued for Western Montana today as strong winds, coupled with low humidity and dry fuels, are expected to significantly increase fire danger.
The warning, in effect from this afternoon through tonight, comes as meteorologists predict that a passing cold front will bring widespread and sustained westerly winds of 15 to 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
At some higher elevations, winds could blow from 30 to 50 mph with gusts of up to 80 mph, according to meteorologists who issued the warning Friday afternoon.
This is the full-frame view of the photo we’re using for our banner right now. It was taken September 20, 2009 by Ken Stolz and shows the glow of the Ninko Creek Fire as seen from the shore of Teepee Lake. Click the image for a larger view.
Yesterday’s Daily Inter Lake had a good summary of fire activity in the Flathead National Forest, including the lightning-caused Ninko Creek fire just north of Whale Creek . . .
The Flathead National Forest has three wildfires on its hands, along with several prescribed fire projects.
Lightning that moved through the area earlier this week triggered the Ninko Creek Fire in the North Fork Flathead drainage and the Ashley Divide fire just west of Kalispell.