Updates for Aug. 24, 2022:
According to MT Fire Information, The Elmo Fire on the Flathead Agency is now 100% contained, with an estimated 21,300 acres burned. Investigations have confirmed that the fire was human-caused.
The Hot Trough Fire is at an estimated 1,018 acres and is 77% contained. 143 personnel are responding to the fire. The Fuse Lake fire has not grown; the fire is on patrol status with resources focused on the Hot Trough Fire. Trail closures are still in place. Showers and thunderstorms were expected in the area late Tuesday afternoon. A wind change from the northeast will help alleviate burning on the southeast edge of the fire.
The Garceau Fire is over 6,000 acres and is 55% contained. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire says more than 300 personnel are on site. As of Tuesday morning, crews and helicopters were scanning for hot spots in the area.
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest said over Twitter on Tuesday that fire crews have responded to several lightning fire starts: the Tamarack fire was at 482 acres, Rising Moon fire was at roughly 200 acres. The Horse Gulch Fire was less than an acre, and the Deer Creek Fire.
The Weasel Fire is roughly 1,600 acres and is 20% contained with moderate fire behavior. The Clover Fire is approximately 1,100 acres and is 55% contained. The Quartz Fire is 0% contained and at 800 acres. There are currently 59 active fires in Montana, with 12 happening in the last 24 hours. There have been an estimated 1,416 in 2022. Check back for more wildfire on yourbigsky.com
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The Weasel fire near Eureka, Montana, is up to 2,000 acres as of Sunday morning and 20% contained. According to Inciweb, the fire is showing moderate low behavior and is expected to be contained by the end of September.
The Quartz Fire in Glacier National Park has burned through roughly 1,200 acres of land. The fire is burning on steep terrain with single tree touching and slowly spreading through underbrush. 15 personnel are responding to the Quartz Fire and has transitioned to a type 3 management team.
The Hot Trough Fire is now at approximately 1,600 acres and is 76% contained. 181 fire personnel are responding to the fire. The report from Aug. 21 says there was limited fire growth from the south and southeast sides. The Fuse Lake fire close to the Hot Trough Fire shows minimal size growth. Crews worked to extinguish hot spots in the area with helicopters supplying water tanks.
The Indian Ridge Fire has grown to over 4,000 acres. Possible road closures may be implemented by the end of the week. Fire managers and crews are working to protect critical wilderness infrastructure from being impacted by the fire. Restrictions and closures from last week remain in effect. The fire remains a few miles from the Montana/Idaho border. As of Aug. 21, the Garceau Fire has burned approximately 6,000 acres of land. The Elmo Fire is around 21,000 acres, with no new fire growth or behavior updates.
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