The latest news on wildfires around western Montana.
Updated Mon. July 25, 4:30 p.m.
Montana’s state fire agency says it expects the Blue Lake fire burning about 10 miles southwest of Ennis to be fully contained by August 6.
As of this morning, the team fighting that fire said it was zero percent contained, and that it had consumed an estimated 629 acres.
Today’s plan was to ignite fuel sources within the fire’s perimeter to reduce risk of further spread.
Fire Information Officer Kary Maddox:
"They conducted fairly successful burnout operations yesterday, and today was an attempt to clean that up. The whole idea is to make sure there is nothing left in there that could spark up if we have a wind event that creates hazardous fire conditions."
An estimated $900,000 has been spent on the fire thus far.
The Deer Creek Fire, a small blaze that was reported over the weekend near Tarkio is now inactive, that’s according to NBC Montana. That fire consumed an estimated 16 acres.
Updated Mon. July 25, 11:00 am.
Further burnout operations are planned today on the Blue Lake Fire burning about 10 miles southwest of Ennis. The fire has grown to an estimated 629 acres and remains zero percent contained. Firefighters are also tackling two small spot fires identified on a flyover with infrared sensors last night.
This morning’s update on InciWeb.nwcg.gov says: “Yesterday’s burnout operations emitted a large amount of smoke visible in the surrounding area. The remaining fingers of timber stringers were hand ignited in order to consume hazardous fuels in the fire area.
“If conditions are right, crews will ignite pockets of remaining fuels within the fire perimeter starting midday today. These operations are in an effort to reduce future fire risk/behavior. Utilizing hand tools and water, crews on the ground will start mopping up the perimeter of yesterday’s burnout operations. Mop-up will then continue from the fireline inward. Fire behavior is moderate, with a range from creeping and smoldering to single and group tree torching. This is due to the fuel type, low relative humidity and high temperatures. Air resources will be available to assist with water drops as needed.”
There are no evacuations in place.
The BLM Axolotl Lake Wilderness Study area is currently closed to public use. The Axolotl Lake Road is closed from Highway 287 to the Shining Mountain Loop Road. The Stockdrive Road. south from Grassy Lake to the southwest corner of T7S, R2W, Section 18 is also closed to public traffic until further notice.
A new fire was reported last night about ten miles southeast of Tarkio and east of Fish Creek on National Forest Land. It’s being called the Deer Creek Fire, and a U.S. Forest Service press release says, “six engines, two single engine air tankers (SEATs) and one Type 1 helicopter are responding. The fire is between 5-10 acres and burning in a creek bottom, with some heavy fuels and grass. But the fire has good access and and is also adjacent to an old burn. A Type II crew is also enroute to assist with Initial Attack.
No structures are threatened.
“The SEATS are dropping retardant on the north end of the fire to stop fire growth and firefighters are reporting good results from the retardant drops in slowing fire growth.
“Fire cause has not been determined at this point.”
