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Fires close Bob Marshall trails

by CHRIS PETERSON
Hungry Horse News | August 11, 2005 11:00 PM

Hungry Horse News

Some popular trails in the Bob Marshall Wilderness have closed because of the threat of wildfires that sprung up over the weekend.

The east side of the South Fork Trail No. 80 from Meadow Creek to Salmon Forks south of Mud Lake is closed. The west side of the South Fork Trail No. 263 from Black Bear Creek to the junction of Forest Trail No. 29 - the Little Salmon Creek Trail is closed. River travel is also restricted from confluence of Big Salmon Creek north to Meadow Creek Trailhead. No river travel is allowed in that stretch.

Those trails are closed due to the Kelly Point Fire, which is believed to be caused by humans.

But if the weather cools like it's supposed to, Trail No. 80 and No. 263 could reopen later this week as crews will work on water lines to keep the fire contained and away from the South Fork of the Flathead, said public information officer Dick Fleishman.

But more fires are likely in the works. The Flathead Valley, particularly the North Fork, saw a lot of lightning Tuesday night. At least one fire is already reported in Glacier National Park high above Logging Lake.

That fire may be allowed to burn because of its remote location. The Limestone Peak Fire, which was also discovered Saturday afternoon (Aug. 6), has caused the closure of the Silvertip Creek Trail No. 89. Trail No. 80 is a major route into the Bob Marshall Wilderness from the north, running along the South Fork of the Flathead.

Another fire was also discovered late Saturday evening. The Holbrook Fire is located about nine miles south of Black Bear cabin along the South Fork of the Flathead River in the wilderness.

This fire is also suspected to be human caused and estimated at less than an acre in size. Flathead National Forest employees are taking actions to suppress this fire.

The Limestone Fire was likely caused by lightning.

Smoke from the blazes has been visible in the Flathead Valley boiling up over the Swan Range.

The Kelly Point Fire about 3,200 acres is located about 20 miles south of Spotted Bear and a mile north of Black Bear Cabin, and the Limestone Peak Fire is located about 20 miles east of Spotted Bear. The Kelly Point Fire could grow significantly in the next few days.

A 10 person interagency fire team will assist the Forest in managing the fires.

The Forest has not closed the South Fork north of Black Bear, but it is discouraging travel there unless the weather changes.

The following additional trails were closed as of press time: Hungry Creek Trail #105 beginning at the West Side trail #263 to its junction with the Picture Point Trail #226; Picture Ridge Trail #107 beginning at the Hungry Creek Trail #105 to its junction with the Picture Point Trail #226; Picture Point Trail #226 from where it takes off of Picture Ridge Trail #107 to its junction with the George Creek Trail #218; Black Bear Creek Trail #220 beginning at the East Side Trail #80 to its junction with the Hodag Ridge Trail #701;

Hodag Ridge Trail #701 beginning at the East Side Trail # 80 to its junction with Black Bear Creek Trail #220;

Rambler Creek Trail #524 from its junction with Black Bear Creek Trail #220 to its junction with the Mid Creek Trail #103; and Mid Creek Trail #103 from its junction with the East Side Trail #80 to its junctions with the Harrison Creek Trail #584.

In 2003 large chunks of the Bob Marshall burned in blazes.

All told, about 88,000 acres were impacted by fires that year.