Flathead National Forest

KALISPELL, MONTANA – Due to increased fire activity within the Great Bear Wilderness area, which includes the Sheep and Granite Fires, the Flathead National Forest has made the determination to increase the existing closure associated with the Thompson-Divide Complex...

SPOTTED BEAR, MONTANA – The Flathead National Forest has issued a closure order to all portions of the Great Bear and Bob Marshall Wilderness, contained within the Spotted Bear Ranger District.  Located in Township 17 North to 28 North and Range 10 West to 16 West...

Evacuation expected to last up to a week. The Sheep Fire is the incident priority of the three fires that make up the Thompson-Divide Wildfire Complex.as it is approaching US Hwy. 2 and the BNSF railway and is threatening the community of Essex...

Residents of Essex and the surrounding area remain on evacuation alert. Weather: Conditions will be changing going into the weekend. A cold front is approaching and will drop temperatures Sunday. In advance of this front, winds are expected to increase by Friday and Saturday...

Flathead National Forest officials are busy dealing with 18 wildfires, in addition to the three (Sheep, Granite, Spruce) that are being managed by the Incident Command Team responsible for the Thompson-Divide Complex. Most are less than 1 acre in size...

The community of Essex remains on evacuation alert.   Highway 2 is open. Pilot cars will run 24 hours a day, but the highway could be closed due to changing fire conditions. Expect delays of 10-15 minutes. The BNSF and Amtrak trains are running...

A public meeting for the Thompson-Divide Complex of fires (Thompson, Granite, and Sheep) is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. at the Izaak Walton Hotel pavilion in Essex. Representatives from the Incident Management Team will provide information on the status of these fires and future operational plans...

Bear Creek Fire:  SIZE: 19,595 Acres   Fire crews continue to mop up hot spots in the Meadow Creek Trailhead and the Meadow Creek Outfitter’s corral.  Engines are patrolling the Gorge Creek Road #549 between Meadow Creek Trailhead and Gorge Creek Trailhead to mop up hot spots and remove hazard trees...

Sheep Fire is 1 Mile from Essex Highway 2 is open. Pilot cars will run 24 hours a day, but the highway could be closed due to changing fire conditions. Expect delays of 10-15 minutes. The BNSF and Amtrak trains have been running. For more information on Amtrak call 1-(800) 872-7245...

Sheep Fire 1 mile from Essex Highway 2 is reopened, with pilot cars escorting traffic in both directions to ensure safe traffic flow through the fire area. Pilot cars will run 24 hours a day, but the highway could be closed due to changing fire conditions. Expect delays of 10-15 minutes. The BNSF and Amtrak trains have been running.  For more information on Amtrak call 1-(800) 872-7245. Residents

Thompson Complex Fire Update for 8-22-15 9:00am A cold front with thunderstorms and some rain late yesterday cleared the smoky conditions in the area. The rain had some slowing effect on the fires. However, all fires continue to burn and fuels are expected to dry out today as temperatures rise and light winds pick up...

Sheep Fire is now 1/2 mile from US-2, BNSF Tracks US-2 remains closed to thru traffic between East Glacier and West Glacier. Local residents are being allowed through to retrieve valuables from homes and cabins in the Essex Area. Residents have been told to prepare to evacuate on short notice, but an evacuation order has not been issued as of 8am this morning...