Wildfire — Hill, Montana

2022-09-07 to 2022-09-21 · Hill, Montana

Event narrative

A wildfire by the name of Eagle Creek Fire started approximately 30 miles south of Havre in the Bears Paw Mountains. An estimated 7225 acres were burned and required the usage of 173 response personnel. Lions Campground and Sandy Creek Campground were both closed during the wildfire and only emergency and local traffic were allowed on Beaver Creek Road above Upper Bear Paw Lake. The wildfire was contained around the 21st. At the time of publication, the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

Wider weather episode

Strong upper-level ridging persisted and was the dominated weather feature for several days. Record breaking high temperatures, near single digit RH, and strong winds gusts have led to a Red Flag Warning throughout the 4 days. Numerous fires sparked as a result of incapsulated erratic gusty winds associated with isolated dry thunderstorms. The breakdown of the upper-level ridge, onset of strong winds aloft, and the isolated dry thunderstorms was the trifecta that led to an extreme critical fire weather event.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1051386. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.