The Forest Service - Flathead National Forest

The Forest Service - Flathead National Forest The Flathead National Forest

The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/
The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national gra

sslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife.

⚠ Silvertip Area Closure lifted, replaced with Trail Closure ⚠️The Spotted Bear Ranger District has lifted the area clos...
09/06/2026

⚠ Silvertip Area Closure lifted, replaced with Trail Closure ⚠️

The Spotted Bear Ranger District has lifted the area closure for the Silvertip Fire, instead closing only trails directly accessing the fire footprint. The trail closure includes Silvertip Creek Trail #89 and Limestone Peak Trail #435.

Active fire areas are dangerous. Hazards including unstable trees, snags and terrain that remain dangerous even after the flames pass. Please adhere to all posted closures for public and firefighter safety.

This is the final Silvertip Fire Update unless conditions change.

⚠️Cedar Flats Closure Rescinded but Stay Bear AwareHungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District has rescinded the closure o...
09/05/2026

⚠️Cedar Flats Closure Rescinded but Stay Bear Aware

Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District has rescinded the closure of Cedar Flats. Public access is open to National forest road 1690, national forest road 10816, national forest road 5285 from its junction with the forest boundary, and all national forest lands south of National Forest road 1690.

Bears are frequently observed in the Cedar Flats area and throughout the Flathead National Forest. Please remain vigilant as bears can be more active this time of year as they prepare for hibernation. When recreating in bear country, follow these safety tips:
• Carry bear spray where it’s easily accessible and know how to use it.
• Stay alert and watch for signs of bear activity, especially in areas with limited visibility.
• Travel in groups and keep members close together.
• Make noise to avoid surprising a bear, especially in dense vegetation or near running water.
• Avoid traveling at night, dawn, or dusk.
• Steer clear of carcass sites or areas with scavenger activity.

For more information on being bear aware, see the FWP Website: https://fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware

🔥Camp Creek Fire Update - Sept 2 🔥Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type 3 OrganizationLocation: Within the Bob Mar...
09/03/2026

🔥Camp Creek Fire Update - Sept 2 🔥

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type 3 Organization
Location: Within the Bob Marshall Wilderness 40 miles west of Augusta, Montana
Start Date: 8/21/2026
Cause: Lightning
Approximate Size: 9,613 acres
Containment: 0%

KEY MESSAGE:
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type 3 Organization will transition management of the Camp Creek Fire back to a local Type 4 organization. This matches the fire’s reduced activity level, keeping resources sized appropriately as the operation moves forward.

OPERATIONS:
Local area fire personnel will work with remaining ground and aerial resources to suppress and contain any lingering heat in the steep and rugged terrain. Given the success of fire personnel efforts to secure the fire perimeter, reduced vegetation from past fire events, and favorable changes in the weather, operations on the fire will remain similar over the next coming days.

Structure protection measures at Benchmark will remain in place as a precaution. Pumps, hose, and structure wrap that have already been installed will stay in place until they are no longer needed based on fire conditions. Fire personnel remain engaged in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, monitoring and securing the fire near the Basin Cabin and evaluating values within and adjacent to the fire footprint.

The Spotted Bear Ranger District will continue to be available for questions about the Camp Creek Fire: 406-758-5376

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Cloudy conditions are expected with a high near 56°F, southwest gusts up to 26 mph, with an 80% chance of showers in the evening. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate and may decrease during the evening as precipitation occurs and relative humidity increases.

AIR QUALITY
Air quality is expected to be moderate in the area in the early morning and improve to good throughout the day. For more information on smoke and air quality, visit https://www.airnow.gov/state/?name=montana

CLOSURES
Closures within the Bob Marshall Wilderness are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighting efforts and access. Closure information is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/alerts

Coal Banks Salvage Project is ready to beginSalvage harvest will begin soon in three areas with significant blowdown fro...
09/02/2026

Coal Banks Salvage Project is ready to begin

Salvage harvest will begin soon in three areas with significant blowdown from the December 2025 windstorm to recover economic value, reduce wildfire risk, and facilitate forest recovery.

Hungry Horse-Glacier View and Spotted Bear Ranger Districts will begin work in 110 acres in the Coal Banks area at the confluence where Coal Creek enters the North Fork Flathead River, 37 acres in the Firefighter Mountain area near Hungry Horse, MT, and 81 acres in the Spotted Bear airstrip area along the South Fork of the Flathead River.

Learn more by visiting the project webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/projects/342314

🔥Camp Creek Fire Update - Sept 1 🔥Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type 3 OrganizationLocation: Within the Bob Mar...
09/01/2026

🔥Camp Creek Fire Update - Sept 1 🔥

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type 3 Organization
Location: Within the Bob Marshall Wilderness 40 miles west of Augusta, Montana
Start Date: 8/21/2026
Cause: Lightning
Approximate Size: 9,495 acres
Containment: 0%

KEY MESSAGE:
An afternoon infrared (IR) flight yesterday confirmed that the fire remained within its footprint. Areas of heat remain among the steep terrain and rock features.

OPERATIONS:
Firefighters continue to work on indirect confinement strategies due to heavy downed timber and a large concentration of dangerous standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety. Crews reduced fuels around the Kenck Cabin area to create an additional holding line to protect private structures and land should the fire move.

Increased fire activity is expected as warmer temperatures and stronger winds move into the area, particularly where winds align with drainages. Afternoon thunderstorms may bring moisture that could moderate fire activity; however, if little or no precipitation reaches the fire area, gusty and erratic winds could increase fire behavior, especially along Fiction Creek.

Aviation resources will be used as needed and available to monitor fire behavior and spread, while ground crews continue to use indirect containment strategies to protect potential values at risk.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Cloudy conditions are expected with a high near 68°F, southwest winds of 5-10 mph, with a 40% chance of precipitation in the evening. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate and may increase during the afternoon as outflow winds increase.

AIR QUALITY
Air quality is expected to be moderate in the area in the early morning and improve to good throughout the day. For more information on smoke and air quality, visit https://www.airnow.gov/state/?name=montana

CLOSURES
Closures within the Bob Marshall Wilderness are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighting efforts and access. Closure information is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/alerts

⚠️Bear Attack in Cedar Flats area! The Cedar Flats area will be closed for public health and safety until wildlife manag...
09/01/2026

⚠️Bear Attack in Cedar Flats area!

The Cedar Flats area will be closed for public health and safety until wildlife managers can confirm the area is safe.

The closed area includes:
National forest road 1690, national forest road 10816, national forest road 5285 from its junction with the forest boundary, and all national forest lands south of National Forest road 1690, including the Parker Hill Road across the highway.

Our law enforcement officers are working with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks to respond to the attack and provide for public safety.

Montana is bear country. When recreating in bear habitat, follow these safety tips:
• Carry bear spray where it’s easily accessible and know how to use it.
• Stay alert and watch for signs of bear activity, especially in areas with limited visibility.
• Travel in groups and keep members close together.
• Make noise to avoid surprising a bear, especially in dense vegetation or near running water.
• Avoid traveling at night, dawn, or dusk.
• Steer clear of carcass sites or areas with scavenger activity.
For more information on being bear aware, see the FWP Website: https://fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware

📢We're Hiring! Submit your application by Sept 22🌲We’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our fire management te...
09/01/2026

📢We're Hiring! Submit your application by Sept 22

🌲We’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our fire management team. Applications for multiple permanent fire positions (GW-04 through GW-10) are posted to to USAJobs.gov, including engine and hand crews, helitack, hotshot, prevention, fire and fuels management, and dispatch. Search all announcements by entering the keyword 27-FIRE or by entering your desired duty location (city, state).

📝Tune up your 2-page resume and apply online at USAJobs.gov. Submit your application by September 22, 2026.

💻Learn more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/working-with-us/careers/flathead-national-forest-fire-hire

Windfall Lake Cabin is one of the most popular cabins on the Tongass National Forest, AK. Make your reservation on recre...
08/31/2026

Windfall Lake Cabin is one of the most popular cabins on the Tongass National Forest, AK. Make your reservation on recreation.gov today!

(Forest Service photo by Jon Gellings.)

🔥Camp Creek Fire Update - Aug 29 🔥Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type 3 OrganizationLocation: Within the Bob Mar...
08/31/2026

🔥Camp Creek Fire Update - Aug 29 🔥

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Type 3 Organization
Location: Within the Bob Marshall Wilderness 40 miles west of Augusta, Montana
Start Date: 8/21/2026
Cause: Lightning
Approximate Size: 9,495 acres
Containment: 0%

KEY MESSAGE:
Updated infrared imagery and mapping will help firefighters track fire movement, evaluate changing conditions, and guide upcoming suppression actions.

OPERATIONS:
The Camp Creek Fire remains deep within the Bob Marshall Wilderness, where firefighters continue to closely monitor fire behavior and changing conditions. Crews are taking advantage of opportunities in the landscape to pursue suppression efforts. At this time, there are no immediate impacts to infrastructure, though crews continue to evaluate and implement point-protection measures.

Crews scouted the South Fork and Hoadley Creek confluence area to identify potential holding features that could be used during future suppression operations. Steep terrain and numerous standing dead trees (snags) remain a concern.

Thunderstorms over the fire area remain a challenge, which can produce shifting and gusty winds complicating operations and influencing fire behavior. Despite these conditions, firefighters continued evaluating opportunities to safely engage the fire using natural barriers and favorable terrain.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Cool, moist conditions will persist as a weather system moves across the area. Temperatures will decrease to 68F. There is an 80% potential for showers with thunderstorms in the afternoon capable of producing outflow winds 25-35 mph.

AIR QUALITY
Air quality is expected to remain moderate during the day as smoke settles into the area. Conditions are anticipated to improve into the good category during the evening as precipitation occurs. For more information on smoke and air quality, visit https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/bee1596c

CLOSURES
Closures within the Bob Marshall Wilderness are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighting efforts and access. Closure information is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/alerts

08/29/2026

Cool off this summer at Yellow Branch Falls on the Sumter National Forest, SC. Adventure is waiting for you in your big backyard.
(Forest Service video by Barbara Richardson)

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