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

Montana Wildfire Roundup For August 24, 2016

The Berry Fire in Wyoming has caused Yellowstone National Park to close their southern entrance. Photograph taken on August 23, 2016.
Inciweb
The Berry Fire in Wyoming has caused Yellowstone National Park to close their southern entrance. Photograph taken on August 23, 2016.

The latest news on wildfires around western Montana.

Last update 4:30 p.m. 08/24/16

The roughly 21,000 Copper King Fire continues to burn 8 miles outside of Thompson Falls. Officials will hold a community meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Plains.

Currently, 45 residences have been evacuated, and 130 have been notified that if the fire changes, they should be ready to leave.

Officials expected minimal fire activity today due to lighter winds and higher relative humidity.

The 80 acre Bierney Creek Fire near Lakeside was reportedly 70 percent contained as of this morning, but lots of unburned fuel remains in the perimeter.

Firefighters have been chasing down spot fires fueled by high winds over the past couple days. Cool temperatures and decreased winds helped slow the fire's activity last night.

Though fire activity has been moderate, about 75 homes are within ½ mile of the fire, and public information officer Ali Ulwelling (UL-welling) says it’s not too late for homeowners to take action to secure their property:

“Between cleaning out your gutters, making sure your roof is clear of any needles & leaf debris, maintaining a 3-5 foot non-combustible perimeter around your home and all attachments. You want to slow any progress of the fire, both vertically and horizontally so you’re creating space between those fuels.”

No structures have been lost in that fire.

The nearly 7,000 acre Berry Fire in Wyoming has caused Yellowstone National Park to close their southern entrance. The fire was reported two days ago, and has caused Highway 89 to close at Leeks Marina Road, all the way up the park's entrance.

Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are coordinating management with crews in Wyoming.

The evacuations in conjunction with the Colorado Gulch Fire near Missoula, also reported two days ago, have been lifted.

That fire is now 50 percent contained, and 15 acres in size.
 

Update: 10:31 a.m. 08/24/16

The 6,819 acre Berry Fire in Wyoming has caused Yellowstone National Park to close their southern entrance. The fire started on August 22 and has caused Highway 89 to close at Leeks Marina Road all the way up the park's entrance.

The fire is mostly being monitored by crews in Wyoming, although Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are coordinating management.

The Colorado Gulch fire outside of Missoula is now 50 percent contained. Evacuation orders have been canceled and residents are encouraged to return to their homes. About 20 homes were evacuated in total.

The 80 acre Bierney Creek Fire near Lakeside is being called 70 percent contained as of this morning. Cool temperatures and decreased winds helped slow the fire's progress last night.

Officials say there is still unburned fuel within the fire's interior, leading to a low percentage of overall containment. Crews are currently putting out hotspots and monitoring the perimeter. Although there are approximately 75 structures within a quarter mile of the fire's edge, no buildings are threatened at this time.

The 21,617 acre Copper King Fire continues to burn eight miles outside of Thompson Falls and one mile north of Highway 200. Yesterday's acreage was recorded at 21,045.

Currently 45 residences are in Red Evacuation status and 130 are in Yellow Pre-Evacuation status.

Officials say that there was minimal fire activity recorded yesterday and last night. Today is expected to see light rain, lower temperatures, and light wind.

Under the oversight of Greg Poncin, there are five Type 1 crews and seven Type 2 crews currently working on the fire. They will continue to create a new perimeter to this fire, put out hot spots, and neutralize pockets of fuel, particularly along the ACM Road and Highway 200.

The Roaring Lion Fire five miles southwest of Hamilton is receiving a large amount of the smoke from the two fires in Idaho roughly 8-10 air miles away.

Fire activity on the interior of Roaring Lion is minimal, although pockets of fuel are continuing to dry out and burn. Containment remains at 70 percent.

Crews are intent on putting out hotspots in the Ward Bowl area and monitoring the lines created around the fire's perimeter.

Officials say that rain and thunderstorms are possible throughout today.

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