Caribou Fire

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Caribou Fire

2017 09 09-08.47.54.279-CDT.jpg

Caribou Fire as seen from West Kootenai on September 2, 2017
Location Kootenai National Forest, Montana, United States
Coordinates 48°58′23″N115°26′28″W / 48.973°N 115.441°W / 48.973; -115.441 Coordinates: 48°58′23″N115°26′28″W / 48.973°N 115.441°W / 48.973; -115.441
Statistics [1] [2]
Date(s) August 11, 2017 (2017-08-11) – November 2, 2017 (2017-11-02)
Burned area 24,753 acres (100 km2)
Cause Lightning
Buildings
destroyed		 40
Non-fatal injuries 1
Map
USA Montana location map.svg
FireIcon.svg
Location of fire in Montana.

The Caribou Fire (also known as the Linklater Fire) was a wildfire in the Kootenai National Forest, 21 miles northwest of Eureka, Montana in the United States. The fire, which was first reported on August 11, 2017, was started by a lightning strike and burned a total of 24,753 acres (100 km2), including 2,761 acres (11 km2) acres in Canada. The fire threatened the community of West Kootenai, Montana, resulting in a mandatory evacuation of the community. It destroyed 10 homes. The Caribou Fire was one three fires burning in the forest, alongside the Gibralter Fire and Weasel Fire.

Wildfire uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area

A wildfire or wildland fire is a fire in an area of combustible vegetation occurring in rural areas. Depending on the type of vegetation present, a wildfire can also be classified more specifically as a brush fire, bushfire, desert fire, forest fire, grass fire, hill fire, peat fire, vegetation fire, or veld fire.

Kootenai National Forest

The Kootenai National Forest is a national forest located in the far northwestern section of Montana and the northeasternmost lands in the Idaho panhandle in the United States, along the Canada–US border. Of the 2.2 million acres (8,900 km2) administered by the forest, less than 3 percent is located in the state of Idaho. Forest headquarters are located in Libby, Montana. There are local ranger district offices in Eureka, Fortine, Libby, Trout Creek, and Troy, Montana. About 53 percent of the 94,272-acre (381.51 km2) Cabinet Mountains Wilderness is located within the forest, with the balance lying in neighboring Kaniksu National Forest.

Eureka, Montana Town in Montana, United States

Eureka is a town in Lincoln County, Montana, United States, 9 miles (14 km) south of the Canada–US border. The population was 1,037 at the 2010 census. The town's mayor is LeeAnn Schermerhorn.

Contents

Events

August

The Caribou Fire was reported on August 11, 2017, at 10:51 AM, 21 miles northwest of Eureka in the Yaak Area of Kootenai National Forest. It was started by a lightning strike in the upper reaches of Caribou Creek and Robinson Mountain. [1] [3] It was fueled by subalpine fir timber and dead and downed spruce. [1] Crews estimated the fire had burned 520 acres (2 km2) by August 24, leading fire crews to begin mopping and patrolling for flare ups. The fire resulted in the forest instituting a Stage II Fire Restriction prohibiting fire, campfire and stove fire use of any kind except for those from liquid petroleum or propane. [3] The fire's expansion towards the Canadian border launched coordination between Canadian officials and an aircraft was used to drop fire retardant. [4] As the fire expanded 1,257 acres (5 km2), crews worked to keep the fire south of the Canadian border using air and ground resources to create fire lines. [5]

Lightning atmospheric discharge of electricity

Lightning is a violent and sudden electrostatic discharge where two electrically charged regions in the atmosphere temporarily equalize themselves, usually during a thunderstorm.

A fire retardant is a substance that is used to slow or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity. This is commonly accomplished by chemical reactions that reduce the flammability of fuels or delay their combustion. Fire retardants may also cool the fuel through physical action or endothermic chemical reactions. Fire retardants are available as powder, to be mixed with water, as fire-fighting foams and fire-retardant gels. Fire retardants are also available as coatings or sprays to be applied to an object.

By August 28, the fire had expanded .25 miles into Canada, with 90% remaining in the U.S. Canadian fire managers launched contingency lines. [6] The Caribou Fire continued to grow northeast, with fire lines passing into the Young J Fire area that burned in 2000. [7] Canadian authorities named the fire burning in Canada the Linklater Fire. Basin Yaak Rd. to Dodge Summit and Caribou Creek Campground were closed. [8]

September

By September 1, the Caribou Fire had grown to 4,818 acres (19 km2). [9] The next day, the fire moved east towards Forest Road 303, threatening 400 structures and prompting mandatory orders for West Kootenai, Montana. [10] [11] Overnight, the fire doubled in size to 6,785 acres (27 km2), expanding four miles northeast, destroying a number of structures. [11] On September 5, property owners who suffered damage or destruction of structures were escorted by the Lincoln County Sheriffs' Department to assess their properties. Protection measures were put in place in the Basin Creek area and pre-evacuation orders were put in place for the West Kootenai area south of Tooley Lake and Basin Creek. [12] Upon further inspection, 10 homes and 30 outbuildings were destroyed in the West Kootenai. Crews used heavy equipment to improve fire lines around West Kootenai and firefighters patrolled homes at night from spot fires. [2]

West Kootenai, Montana CDP in Montana, United States

West Kootenai is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lincoln County, Montana, United States. The population was 365 at the 2010 census.

By September 7, the Caribou Fire was 20,631 acres (83 km2) and was 27% contained, with 18,317 acres (74 km2) in the U.S. and 2,314 acres (9 km2) burned. [13] Evacuation orders were lifted on September 10. [14] Canadian scooper planes brought water to help slow fire growth, dropping 140,800 gallons of water in one day. [15] One firefighter was injured on September 15, sustaining injuries from a snag on their left shoulder and neck. They were released the same day after evaluation at a hospital. [16]

October and November

Restoration and rehabilitation began in late fall, including the felling of hazard trees along roads and the fire perimeter. Over 200 miles of roads were rebuilt or repaired. The fire was declared 100% contained on November 2, 2017. It burned a total of 24,753 acres (100 km2). [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Caribou Fire". InciWeb. Kootenai National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Caribou Fire Update 9/6". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  3. 1 2 "News Release, Aug 24". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "News Release, Aug 25". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Fire update, 8/27". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Fire update, 8/28". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Fire update, 8/29". InciWeb. U.S. Forest. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Fire Update, 8/31". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "Fire Update 9/1". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Fire Update, 9/2". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Fire Update, 9/3". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Fire update 9-5-17". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  13. ↑ "Fire Update 9/7". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  14. ↑ "Caribou Fire Update, 9/10". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  15. ↑ "Fire update 9-13-17". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  16. ↑ "Caribou Firefighter Close Call". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
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