The National Interagency Fire Center reported 23 wildland fires in Montana on Thursday. Cool temperatures are expected to spread east and south from the pacific northwest coming through Central Montana and the Northern Greater Basin. Some of the fires are showing minimal growth or have been successfully contained.
The current largest wildfire is the Trail Ridge Fire, last updated Thursday on Inciweb at over 17,500 acres and 65% contained. Crews are monitoring the fire and performing suppression repairs where it allows. A cold front is expected, with .25 to .5 inches of rain expected in the next three days. The estimated containment date is October 31.
The Bull Gin Complex, consisting of three fires, is approximately 4,200 acres and is 36% contained. Crews are seeing reduced fire activity creeping toward completion lines. Efforts at the Billiard Fire include mop-ups and suppression repairs, mainly along 2293, Billiard Cabin, and Fatman roads. Repairs are expected to finish on October 1.
Crews working on the Government Fire are doing advanced mop-up near the fire’s edge with excavator work along the fire boundary with grader repairing roads near the Government Mountain Area. Repair work is also expected to finish on October 1. Crews are still monitoring fire behavior at the Isabella Lake Fire. All closures in the area remain in effect.
The Indian Ridge Fire, discovered on July 7, is estimated to be 8,900 as of September 27. Area closures have been lifted on the west fork ranger district in Idaho’s Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. The fire spread and activity are low to medium. Cool, wet weather in the area helped minimize fire behavior.
The Boulder Lake Fire was last updated Monday and was at roughly 1,800 acres. Area closures have been lifted due to weather and low fire behavior. Over an inch of rainfall in the fire area resulted in no fire growth. Fire crews continue to monitor the fire area until a seasonal weather event occurs. Anyone entering the burned area is advised to use caution. Check for weather updates before entering the area.
Click here to see a list of Montana fires from the National Interagency Fire Center, and watch for fire updates on yourbigsky.com
