Montana's beautiful summers come with the increased incidence of wildfires. EastIdahoNews.com will update this developing story. However, thunderstorms are expected Wednesday with a 40% chance of lightning and a 50% chance of wetting rain. Point protection plans are in process as the fire is anticipated to spread toward the Salmon Forks Administrative Site, located approximately four miles east of the current fire location. The fire is spreading further into the Garnet Creek drainage and is anticipated to spot across the creek and establish on the western aspect of the slope. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire has burned 200 acres. A Bear Creek fire burning near the Montana-Idaho border is estimated to be approximately 1,500 acres Wednesday morning. Several helicopters are there fighting the fire as well. An infra-red flight mapped the fire overnight. The fire is sending smoke across southwest and central Montana. "These fuels will continue to dry out with low relative humidity. The fire increased overnight from 200 acres Tuesday evening, fire managers said. Montana's largest wildfire has grown by more than 1,100-acres since Sunday, but overall the fire's behavior was relatively quiet … Fire crews have successfully built and reinforced a break on the Bear Creek Fire's eastern edge, working to stop the blaze from progressing further east toward multiple structures and Montana Highway 324. UPDATE:The Salmon-Challis National Forest implemented a road closure Thursday to protect forest visitors and firefighters from traffic hazards.Traffic in the area increased significantly from public viewing of the Bear Creek Fire on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.The following roads are closed: Forest Road #60185 Warm Springs RoadFROM Lemhi Pass north TO a point 3.6 miles in distance along Forest Service road #60185 Warm Springs Road (T19N, R25E, NE ¼ of section 2). To preserve quality, in-depth journalism in northcentral Montana subscribe to the Great Falls Tribune. With thunderstorms, shifting winds from the west/northwest could reach gusts up to 25-30 mph. The Bear Creek Fire was first reported just east of the continental divide in the Beaverhead Mountains on Aug. 11. The Rocky Mountain Ranger District's (RMRD) initial response consisted of a 6-person crew, supplemented by a 4-person engine module. EEO Report | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | About Us |, Daily News Update Officials discovered the Bear Creek Fire around 10:30 a.m. burning in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana. All rights reserved, If you choose local pickup, please get your gift certificate at our office at 400 W. Sunnyside in Idaho Falls Dismiss, Rescued hiker was dehydrated, hurt and ‘praying to be found’ in Zion National Park, her sister says, Social media activist Collin Kartchner dies at age 40, Utah heart attack victim competes for medical care amid surge in COVID-19 cases, State Board of Education modifies school reopening plan, Man looking for treasure indicted for digging in historic Fort Yellowstone Cemetery. Winds over the fire area are highly variable due to topographic features and the proximity to the Continental Divide. Additionally, a very large air tanker delivered one load of retardant. Helicopters and scoopers provided aerial support. Helicopter resources were able to moderate fire spread, accessing a nearby lake for water and quick turnaround times. A lightning-caused fire 21 miles west of Augusta has drawn immediate attention from firefighters, who are attacking the blaze with support from multiple fire suppression aircraft. Northern Rockies Team 5 assumed command of the fire on August 13th. On Wednesday they will be ready to engage again, supported by six helicopters to aid in their fire suppression efforts. Once there, firefighters were only able to engage the fire in a limited manner due to falling snags and steep, rugged terrain. © 2015 - 2020
Contests and Promotions, © 2020, NPG of Idaho, Inc. Idaho Falls, ID USA, View all our Vallow-Daybell coverage here, Colorado officials are warning that two major wildfires could merge, Nearly 50 people contracted coronavirus after fellowship event at a small church in Maine, 950 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 7 new deaths. The fixed-wing “scooper” airplanes were reassigned mid-day to assist with new fires in other areas of the country. EastIdahoNews.com, LLC. A Type 2 team took command of the fire Thursday morning. They said they have 8 helicopters, three Type 1 Crews, three engines and 139 personnel working on the fire. The Forest Service immediately sent a nine-member ground crew and helicopters for the initial attack, but due to its remote location, it took ground crews approximately three hours to hike to the fire as there is no road access in the area.