Residents on Little East Fork Road remain under an evacuation order due to the Johnson Fire. The fire expanded by more than 3,000 acres over the last week after lightning sparked the blaze in late July. Evacuation orders are also in effect for residents of Frog Pond Basin, due to the Daly Fire.
Rich Martinez is a firefighter and public information officer working the Johnson Fire. He says crews preventatively burned underbrush behind the evacuated homes Monday night.
“Went really well; looked real clean,” Martinez said in a phone interview. “Just a nice understory burn that went up the hill.”
Martinez says more than 150 personnel are responding to the Johnson Fire, with additional engines and water tankers on the way.
Meanwhile, managers say the Sharrott Creek Fire is now 3% contained after growing south and west — largely away from populated areas.
Thick smoke blanketed much of western Montana on Labor Day, driving air quality into “unhealthy” levels. The state Department of Environmental Quality says fires in western Montana and Idaho fueled the haze, including the 9,000-acre Wye fire burning west of Hamilton across the state border.
A low pressure system may bring some relief from the smoke Tuesday and Wednesday, but forecasters caution another period of hot, dry conditions through the end of the week will likely stoke fire growth and smoke production.
The Grouse fire burning at 4,822 acres ten miles south of Wise River has been 22% contained as of most recent report. Fire crews are working to put out residual heat and prevent the fire's spread. Warm, dry and unstable weather could result in increased fire activity.
Find more information on how to prepare for a wildfire evacuation or improve air filtration in your home.
