Evacuation warnings lifted for Hay Creek Fire near Polebridge

Evacuation warnings for the Hay Creek Fire near Polebridge were lifted Wednesday as cooler temperatures, recent precipitation and higher humidity helped tamp down the last spots of fire activity.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office said evacuation notices issued between July 22 and July 26 are now lifted for both sides of the North Fork Road between Sondreson Hall and Home Ranch Bottoms; the Sondreson Access Road; Moose Creek Road; Red Meadow Road; the Polebridge Loop, including the community of Polebridge; and inholders of Glacier National Park.

The fire abouut 4 miles west of Polebridge was started by lightning on July 21. It was listed at 2,894 acres Wednesday with 30% containment and 71 personnel on scene. Management of the fire response will be turned over to a team from the Flathead National Forest on Saturday.

"Crews will continue to wrap up operations involved with fuel reduction along roads and contingency lines, and patrol and mop up hot spots as needed," officials said in a Wednesday update on InciWeb. "The helibase has been moved from the Hay Creek Incident Base in West Glacier to the Hungry Horse Ranger Station helibase. Equipment and supplies are being removed from the fire."

A community meeting about the fire response was scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Sonderson Hall.