Ridge Fire 2023

A dry lightning event on July 30 caused several starts on the Flathead National Forest, including the Ridge Fire, Doris Point Fire, and the Tin Soldier Fire.

The Ridge Fire is located 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse, MT and is burning on the Hungry Horse Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. The Ridge Fire is a full suppression fire and firefighters are rehabilitating handline and contingency line around the fire.

The Doris Point Fire is located 8 miles south of Hungry Horse, MT and is burning on the Hungry Horse Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. Resources are backhauling equipment that is no longer needed. Doris Point Fire is currently 1,606 acres with 98% Completion. As of September 11, 2023 the Doris point fire has transitioned back to the unit and is being managed by Hungry Horse - Glacier View Fire Managers. Last update unless significant changes occur.

The Tin Soldier Fire is located on the Spotted Bear Ranger District of the Flathead National Forests, approximately 17 miles east of Swan Lake. The Tin Soldier Fire was previously known as the Tin Soldier Complex, which was originally made up of 4 fires burning in timber litter with heavy dead and down fuels. Resources are grading the road around Spotted Bear Ranger Station. Crews are repairing handlines and backhauling equipment that is no longer needed. The Tin Soldier Fire is currently 8,165 acres with 96% completion. As of September 11, 2023 the Tin Soldier complex has transitioned back to the unit and is being managed by Spotted Bear Fire Managers. Last update unless significant changes occur.

On 08/16/2023 a UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) drone flight above the fires found that the Kah Mountain and the Sullivan Fires grew in size and merged together. These two fires will now be known as the Sullivan Fire. As of 08/18/2023, The Sullivan Fire and Bruce Fire will be referred to as the Tin Soldier Fire (previously Bruce, Sullivan, Kah Mountain, and Con Kelly Fires were known as the Tin Soldier Complex.)

Ridge Fire Closure: The closed area encompasses Emery Creek Drainage, north of the NFS Road 38 and west of Margaret Creek, including a portion of the Coram Experimental Forest. All roads and trails within the closure are closed to the public, including the Desert Mountain Road (NFS Road 497) and Emery Creek Road (NFS Road 546).

Doris Point Fire Closure: The closure area starts where NFS Road 895, West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road meets Lost Johnny Creek.  The eastern boundary continues south to where it meets NFS Trail #7, Alpine 7 Trail.  The southern boundary of the closure follows NFS Trail #7, Alpine 7 Trail north to the junction with Doris Creek drainage.  The western boundary continues downstream following the Doris Creek drainage bottom to where it crosses NFS Road 895A, Doris Creek Road in Section 17, T29N, R19W.  The western boundary continues along NFS895A to the junction with NFS Road 895, West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road.

Both the East and West side roads are open to the public.