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

Montana Wildfire Roundup For August 29, 2016

A Chinook helicopter brings water to the northwest portion of the Maple Fire over the weekend.
Inciweb
A Chinook helicopter brings water to the northwest portion of the Maple Fire over the weekend.

The latest on wildfires around western Montana.

Last Update 5:35 p.m. 08/29/16

The Clear Creek Fire popped up early Saturday morning on tribal land 3 miles northwest of Perma on the Flathead Reservation.

It’s just over 1,200 acres, and zero percent contained, says Tribal Fire Prevention Specialist C.T. Camel.

"Last couple days just been burnout operations, trying to get a hold of it. Because it’s gonna get really warm these next couple days.”

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Division of Fire is fighting the blaze.

It’s cause is still under investigation.

Update: 10:38 a.m., 08/29/16

The Copper King Fire, under the command of Greg Poncin's Type I Incident Management Team, has reached 24,017 acres and remains 15 percent contained.

A community meeting will be held on Monday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sanders County Fairground Pavilion (30 River Road, Plains, MT). Fire and local officials will provide an update on current and project fire activity.

There are 780 personnel working the fire, located eight miles outside of Thompson Falls and one mile north of Highway 200. The Copper King Fire has cost an estimated $15 million so far.

Yesterday aerial resources conducted burnout operations on the northern perimeter while hotshot crews built hand lines around the active southeast edge.

Helicopters dropped 258,000 gallons of water while small planes spread 36,500 gallons of retardant.

Today's weather is expected to bring in a high pressure front, with low humidity and high temperatures. This could result in increased fire activity, though winds are not predicted to be a problem.

Over the next 24-48 hours, officials say the construction of indirect lines and firing operations are crucial. Scoping for additional contingent lines will continue for the benefit of communities to the east.

A map of the Copper King fire area closures can be seen here.

In Yellowstone National Park, the Berry Fire continues to keep the south entrance to the park closed.

The Maple Fire in Yellowstone National Park, located about four miles north of West Yellowstone, has reached 31,405 acres. All of Gneiss Trail remains closed, including the Cougar Creek cabin.

The Maple Fire has yet to reach the Madison River or Madison Junction, and has not yet required burn out operations near Highway 191. A Red Flag weather warning is in effect throughout today.

Diane Hutton's Wildland Fire Management Team has assumed command of the Maple Fire and is stationed in West Yellowstone.

There will be a Maple Fire community meeting Monday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of Latter Day Saints, 245 Faithful St., West Yellowstone, MT.

The Bierney Creek Fire west of Lakeside is transitioning from a Type 3 team to a smaller Type 4 team as containment operations continue to be successful. The fire is 90 percent contained.

The 60 acre fire, discovered on August 22, has been declared 'human caused' by fire officials.

The Roaring Lion Fire located five miles southwest of Hamilton remains at 8,533 acres and 70 percent contained. Firefighters continue to put out hotspots, evaluate containment lines, protect structures, and monitor for erosion possibilities where they have built defensive lines.

Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft continue to drop water and retardant when necessary. Area closures remain in effect.

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