Wildfire Updates

The community of Essex remains on evacuation alert.   Highway 2 is open. Pilot cars will run 24 hours a day, but the highway could be closed due to changing fire conditions. Expect delays of 10-15 minutes. The BNSF and Amtrak trains are running...

All evacuations have been lifted. Area closures still in place until further notice. The lightning-caused Sucker Creek Fire, which is currently burning in the Sucker Creek area on the Lincoln Ranger District, is now approximately 2790 acres, and 55% contained...

A public meeting for the Thompson-Divide Complex of fires (Thompson, Granite, and Sheep) is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. at the Izaak Walton Hotel pavilion in Essex. Representatives from the Incident Management Team will provide information on the status of these fires and future operational plans...

Bear Creek Fire:  SIZE: 19,595 Acres   Fire crews continue to mop up hot spots in the Meadow Creek Trailhead and the Meadow Creek Outfitter’s corral.  Engines are patrolling the Gorge Creek Road #549 between Meadow Creek Trailhead and Gorge Creek Trailhead to mop up hot spots and remove hazard trees...

Sheep Fire is 1 Mile from Essex Highway 2 is open. Pilot cars will run 24 hours a day, but the highway could be closed due to changing fire conditions. Expect delays of 10-15 minutes. The BNSF and Amtrak trains have been running. For more information on Amtrak call 1-(800) 872-7245...

Sheep Fire 1 mile from Essex Highway 2 is reopened, with pilot cars escorting traffic in both directions to ensure safe traffic flow through the fire area. Pilot cars will run 24 hours a day, but the highway could be closed due to changing fire conditions. Expect delays of 10-15 minutes. The BNSF and Amtrak trains have been running.  For more information on Amtrak call 1-(800) 872-7245. Residents

There are currently 11 fires burning on the Lewis & Clark National Forest. Most are very small, and all were caused by lightning in early August. Current Status of the Family Creek Complex: Total acres – 698 (more accurate mapping from infrared 8/20) Fires are currently creeping and smoldering. St...

Thompson Complex Fire Update for 8-22-15 9:00am A cold front with thunderstorms and some rain late yesterday cleared the smoky conditions in the area. The rain had some slowing effect on the fires. However, all fires continue to burn and fuels are expected to dry out today as temperatures rise and light winds pick up...

The Waterton Lake wildfire is now 100% contained, and is considered “under control”. The fire burned approximately 25 acres on the slopes of Campbell Mountain, on the west side of Upper Waterton Lake in Glacier National Park. Parks Canada crews will continue to patrol the fire area and extinguish any hot spots...

The Sucker Creek Fire continues to burn on 2740 acres, 6 miles northeast of Lincoln, on the Helena National Forest. Movement continues to be away from town, toward the 2003 Snow Talon Fire burn scar. The fire is 25% contained. Weather: The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning today from 11:00 a.m. t...

Sheep Fire is now 1/2 mile from US-2, BNSF Tracks US-2 remains closed to thru traffic between East Glacier and West Glacier. Local residents are being allowed through to retrieve valuables from homes and cabins in the Essex Area. Residents have been told to prepare to evacuate on short notice, but an evacuation order has not been issued as of 8am this morning...

US2 CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC   The Sheep Fire was very active today with the westerly influence of the predicted Red Flag weather conditions. This condition kept ground forces from engaging with direct handline operations. A heavy helicopter was effective in applying 29,000 gallons of retardant today on portions of the perimeter to slow spread. Th...