Weasel Fire Explained

Weasel Fire
Reference:[1]
Date:
Location:Kootenai National Forest, Montana, United States
Coordinates:48.954°N -114.73°W
Pushpin Map:USA Montana
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of fire in Montana.
Area:3925acres
Cause:Lightning

The Weasel Fire was a wildfire 17 miles northeast of Eureka in the Kootenai National Forest in Montana in the United States. The fire was started by a lightning strike and first reported on September 2, 2017. The fire burned a total of 3925acres and was one of three fires, alongside the Gibralter Fire and Caribou Fire, burning in the vicinity at the same time.

July 30, 2022, another fire was also named the Weasel Fire. According to the Montana DNRC website the location is 48.976646977409395, -114.7491624746314, about 15 miles northeast of Eureka in the Kootenai National Forest in Montana in the United States.

Events

2017 - The Weasel Fire resulted from a lightning strike in the Kootenai National Forest, 17 miles northeast of Eureka. The fire was first reported on September 2, 2017, at 1:46 PM. The fire was fueled by litter and understory timber, comprising subalpine fir, burning in steep, inaccessible terrain.[1] [2] Due to the fire's inaccessibility, fire crews were not able to view the fire for evaluation until September 11. The fire was estimated to have burned 869acres.[2] By September 13, the fire had spread to Weasel Lake, resulting in Weasel Cabin and its accompanying dock to be wrapped for protection purposes.[3] The Weasel Fire began burning on Tuchuck Mountain and grew to 3925acres.[4] [5] Restoration and cleanup began and on September 22 Weasel Lake was open again to the public.[6] The fire was reported out and contained on November 2, 2017.[1]

2022 - The Weasel Fire was discovered on July 30, 2022, was started by lightning.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Weasel Fire. InciWeb. Kootenai National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. 10 December 2017.
  2. Web site: Fire Update 9-11-17. InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. 10 December 2017.
  3. Web site: Fire Update 9-13-17. InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. 10 December 2017.
  4. Web site: Weasel Fire Update 09-15-2017. InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. 10 December 2017.
  5. Web site: Weasel Fire Update 09-16-2017. InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. 10 December 2017.
  6. Web site: Fire Update 9-26-17. InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. 10 December 2017.
  7. Web site: Weasel Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System . 2022-08-02 . inciweb.nwcg.gov.