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Wildfire, fire management and air quality news for western Montana and the Northern Rockies.

Wildfire Roundup For July 13, 2016

The Zig Zag Hotshot crew hikes through a heavily burned area on the northwest part of the Observation Fire on July 8, 2016.
Joshua Harvey/Inciweb

The latest news on wildfires around western Montana.

Last Updated: 11:48 A.M. 07/13/16

The Observation Fire

The fire burning 10 miles south of Hamilton now only has 92 personnel working towards containment, down from over 600 in the middle of last week. Officials say that teams have created a thick line around the perimeter of the fire and are now monitoring small burns in the interior and clearing down branches and wood.  

The cool and wet weather experienced over the last few days has seriously impeded the threat of the fire spreading. There is a small chance that spots will continue to smolder in the Hayes Creek drainage area.

Area closures have changed given the 90 percent containment of the fire. The Coyote Coulee trail system is open, as is the Lick Creek Road from Como to Lost Horse. There is still no through traffic to Lost Horse or access to Twin Lakes or Schumaker campground. The road to Observation Point and Camas Lake Trailhead is still closed.

The Harris Fire

The fire started by lighting is burning 26 miles south of Ashland and covers 3,394 acres with 65 percent of the perimeter contained. There are 111 crew members working on the fire.

Originally reported on July 9, the fire is no longer burning on private lands, but now on public and federal lands.

Montana DNRC will have more reports coming soon.

Bitterroot Lighting Fires

After 150 recorded lightning strikes in the Bitterroot National Forest in the last three days, two fires have been identified. The Chaffin Creek Fire measures 1/10 of an acre and was contained last night. The West Creek Fire is also 1/10 of an acre and is currently being monitored by two firefighters.

Fire danger remains "moderate" in the Bitterroot National Forest.

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