Ulm Peak Fire
1,200 acres, 4% contained
August 29, 2006
A 1,200 acre wildfire burning approximately 12 miles southwest of Noxon, Montana, has resulted in temporary closures on portions of the Idaho Panhandle and Kootenai National Forests for public safety. The Ulm fire is burning near the northeast boundary of the Coeur d’Alene Ranger District along the Idaho/Montana border.
The fire threatens two Research Natural Areas, a repeater site on the Kootenai National Forest and Gem Peak Forest Service lookout.
Gem Peak Lookout is one of the fire lookout towers available for rent by the public on the Kootenai National Forest. It is located 15 miles southwest of Noxon and 30 miles west of Trout Creek. The tower typically is available for rent to the public from July 1 to October 15th, and it is one of the few towers that has road access right up to the tower. This lookout is set on a 30-foot tower and measures 15' x 15'. From the tower, visitors can see the western portion of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, the Idaho/Montana border, Marten Creek Bay, portions of the Noxon Reservoir, the Lake Pend 'Oreille basin and the Clark Fork River delta.
The fire was started by lightning on August 18th. It is currently 4% contained. The blaze is burning in heavy timber with lots of dead down fuel in steep, rocky terrain.
Resources on the fire include 313 firefighters and support personnel, 1 helicopter, 1 air tanker, 14 engines, 3 dozers, 7 water tenders, 1 fellerbuncher and 1 excavator.
CLOSURES:
Closure Maps
Coeur D'Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest:
Forest Service Road #430, also known as Stateline Road, from its beginning in Section 18, T 53N, R 4E, B.M. to Section 24, T 52E, R 4E, B.M. at the junction of Road #992 south to the junction with Forest Road #151, along Forest Road #151 to Section 9, T 51N R 4E, B.M., to junction of Forest Road #412 and Forest Road #151, then north along Forest Road #412 to Forest Road #992, Section 25, T 53N R 3E along Forest Road #992 to junction of Forest Road #430, Section 18, T 53N R 4E, B.M.
Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest:
Beginning on the south end of Martin’s Creek and Devil’s Gap, Forest Road #151 to the Montana/Idaho state-line; following the Montana/Idaho state-line in a northwest direction to its junction with Forest Road #332; continue heading in a northeasterly direction on Forest Road #430 to its junction with Deer Creek, in the Elk Creek drainage; then in a southeast direction following Deer Creek over the ridge into Rice Draw; then following Forest Road 2744 to its junction with Forest Road #149; following Forest Road #149 to its junction with Telegraph Creek, in Pilgrim Creek; up Telegraph Creek to the ridge and down Devil’s Gap to the beginning point.
For more specific information about the Area Closures, call the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District at 208-783-2100 or contact Erin Fryer 208-682-9129.
For updated fire information, photos and maps of the Ulm Peak Fire, go to the inciweb.org website page for this fire: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/453/
Fire danger is VERY HIGH on the Kootenai National Forest and Stage I fire restrictions remain in effect. Campfires are permitted only in developed recreation sites only. The fire restrictions also apply to the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation lands, and Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties.
Related Links:
Ulm Peak Fire News
Kootenai National Forest
Stage I Fire Restrictions (PDF)
National Large Fire Map
NIFC National Daily Fire News
NIIC Fire Report
MODIS Rapid Response
Gem Peak Lookout Tower
Fire Lookout Tower rentals
Kootenai Lookout Towers
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