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

Montana Wildfire Roundup For August 5, 2016

The latest on wildfires around western Montana.

Last Update 5:35 p.m. 08//05/16

Residents of about 400 houses that have been evacuated due to the Roaring Lion fire southwest of Hamilton have been allowed back home. That announcement came last night.

The fire has grown to nearly 8,000 acres as of this morning.

Today crews are burning vegetation within the perimeter in order to eliminate potential fuel. They’re mopping up lines on the northeastern and eastern flanks of the fire. Crews are also hoping to tie the southern flank of the fire with an area that burned last month.

Fire Spokesman Mike Cole:

"If it got down that far and then kept burning towards the south, eventually hit where that Observation Fire’s been. So all of a sudden it’ll be a big change in available material to burn, for any fire you got going that direction."

Thunderstorms are expected this evening and over the weekend. Forecasters are expecting fire behavior to increase as the day progresses.
 

The Copper King fire, 8 miles east of Thompson Falls, is now burning on nearly 1,300 acres.

Fire officials are holding a public meeting tonight at the Thompson Falls Community Center at 7:00.

Today, crews are continuing to protect structures along the Thompson River Road, and Highway 200.

Due to hot weather, low humidity, and a chance of thunderstorms, fire activity is expected to increase.

Drones and other unmanned aircrafts are strictly prohibited in the area, as they could shut down firefighting operations.

The cause of the Copper King Fire is still unknown.
 

Updated: 9:30 a.m. 08/05/16

The 735 personnel working on the Roaring Lion Fire near Hamilton are taking advantage of weather pockets before thunderstorms are expected to increase this afternoon. The fire has reached 7,927 acres and is 15 percent contained, up from 7 percent yesterday.

Current tactics from ground crews include intentionally burning vegetation within the surrounding defensive lines in order to remove potential fuel for the uncontrolled wild fire. This practice of mopping and strengthening lines will mostly be focused on the northeastern and eastern flanks.

The area burned by the Observation Fire earlier in July is becoming useful to firefighters for the formation of a contingency line, in case the fire passes the first defensive line. This linkage would bring together the southern flank of the Roaring Lion Fire with the burned area of the Observation Fire.

Firefighters are concerned about safety risks that come with sudden, unexpected storms throughout Friday and over the weekend. In some cases, weather may cause rain to evaporate before reaching the ground in any significant amount, but lightning will still be able to strike.

Yesterday afternoon, fire officials announced changes in the evacuation areas for the Roaring Lion Fire, which reduced the number of homes under full evacuation.

The pre-evacuation areas now include Blodgett Camp south to Gold Creek Loop, including the Westside Road and Highway 93 to Spring Hill Road.

This also includes both sides of Lost Horse Road.

The full evacuation areas encompass Roaring Lion Road west of Springhill Road and everything south and west of Gold Creek Loop west of Highway 93, including Two Horse, Lupine Ridge, Highland Drive, and Whispering Pines.

Residents of Roaring Lion Road and Lost Horse Road will be allowed in by permit only.

The Copper King Fire has reached 1,286 acres and is 0 percent contained. There are 363 personnel working on this fire eight miles east of Thompson Falls and 1 mile north of Highway 200.

Drones and other unmanned aircrafts are strictly prohibited in the area and have the potential to shut down firefighter operations.

Fire activity is expected to increase due to hot weather with low humidity and chance of thunderstorms. There are no evacuations issued at this time and crews have taken precaution to secure structure along Highway 200, including the Big Hole Lookout.

Crews are intending to use aerial methods for fire suppression today, as well as build defensive lines and remove potential fuel from accessible areas.

There will be a public meeting held tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Thompson Falls Community Center.

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