Battle continues for Thorne Creek firefighters

More hot and dry weather with enough wind has driven the Thorne Creek Fire over 32,000 acres.

According to information from fire officials, the fire grew more than 6,100 acres Sunday night. Most of the growth was on the northern end of the fire and in the Thompson River Road area above Thompson Falls. Containment was still listed at 15%.

The fire is under the management of the Southern Area Incident Management Gold Team and Commander Debbie Beard.

The Aug. 12 evacuation order for residents in the communities of Snider and Copper King remain in effect.

Sheriff Tom Rummel said all residents must evacuate and the National Guard would staff a roadblock at a nearby intersection. Residents will need passes to access their properties; the passes can be obtained at the roadblock or the sheriff's office.

Firefighter’s plans remain the same with work to contain the blaze between existing burned areas and natural barriers while using low intensity firing to remove unburned, but flammable vegetation.

Sunday, fire crews used firing to remove vegetation between the fire’s edge and the control line between the intersection of Thompson River Road and Montana 200. Officials said the fire line was nearly complete as of Monday morning.

A structure protection group aided by two helicopters and local fire department engines protected homes on the west side of the Thompson River Road when fire backed down the slopes into the canyon.

The fire also made its way to Round Top Mountain, Liver Peak and east of Goat Peak. Firefighters protected structures with sprinklers.

According to Sanders County Wildland Fire Information, the lower Thompson River was not the only area with active burning Sunday.

The north end of the Thorne Creek fire also picked up this Sunday afternoon. No structures or infrastructure are threatened as the fire activity is located in the upper Graves Creek drainage in the Headley Peak area.

Also, the U.S. Forest Service ACM Road closure remains in effect due to increased fire activity.

There have been five injuries reported on the fire that began on July 7 after lighting strikes peppered the region. Nearly 400 personnel are assigned to the fire, including six crews, 16 engines, five helicopters, 12 water tenders and other equipment.

More information is available at:

• The Thorne Creek Fire is a No Drone Zone! If you fly, we can’t! Visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.
• The Red Cross Shelter is available in Thompson Falls. If you need assistance, please call 800-272-6668.
• Air quality and smoke monitoring information is available at https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/wfaqrp-airfire-tools/
• Temporary flight restrictions specific to Thorne Creek Fire: tfr.faa.gov
• Information Boards are located in Thompson Falls at Ainsworth Park, Harvest Foods, Wild Goose Landing, the intersection of Thompson River Road and Montana 200, and in Plains at the U.S. Forest Service Ranger District. - Local businesses also are posting maps and updates and sharing information cards.
• Forest closure information is available on InciWeb under the “Maps” and “Closures” tabs.
• STAGE 2 fire restrictions are in effect. Visit mtfireinfo.org to learn more.
• Wildland fire preparedness for ranchers and farmers can be found at dnrc.mt.gov.
• Residents can reduce wildfire risk by following Firewise building construction and vegetation management principles. Visit Firewise.org for more information.