This story is excerpted from the MT Lowdown, a weekly newsletter digest containing original reporting and analysis published every Friday
Over the last week, Montana’s rainy weather held off new fires and rapid growth of those already burning. Though a large number of personnel continue working to contain blazes across the state, no fires grew at a substantial pace.
The Grouse Fire is the state’s largest active fire, covering just over 4,000 acres in Beaverhead County. Situated in steep terrain among natural fire breaks and hand-dug fire lines, it has grown by only 16 acres since Friday, Aug. 9. The team managing the fire is demobilizing and returning command to local responders.
The Black Canyon Fire consists of three fires covering a combined 233 acres along the edge of Helena National Forest, roughly halfway between Helena and Great Falls. Though only 20% contained since it began on Aug. 11, reports from firefighters indicate it is unlikely to grow rapidly.
The Circle Bar Fire, meanwhile, is one of the newest fires in the state. It was first reported on Wednesday in southeastern Montana. The blaze already spans 796 acres of forests and grasslands. It is 40% contained.
The Black Mountain Fire, a 182-acre fire on the western edge of Lewis and Clark County, is not expected to significantly increase in size, according to Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
After predicted storms across western Montana on Friday, the weather forecast suggests wildfire-resistant conditions in the coming days.
While lightning anticipated on Friday and Saturday presents the potential to start new fires, Montana’s extended period of high humidity and slow winds is likely to hold through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service also expects temperatures to increase over the next several days. Smoke from wildfires in Washington, Oregon and northern California are likely to leave Montana skies a little hazy over the weekend.
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