Wildlife

Early afternoon on August 25, 2015 a fire was reported on the Lewis & Clark National Forest's Rocky Mountain District burning approximately 1 mile west of the north end of the Benchmark Airstrip, west of Augusta. District personnel located and initial attacked the fire on the ground but had to withdraw for safety reasons when the fire activity heated up and made several runs in the crown. Su..

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...

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 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...

232 Firefighters continue efforts to control the Sucker Creek Fire, which now covers 2740 acres north of Lincoln on the Helena National Forest. The fire is 25% contained, and has moved into the burn scar from a 2003 wildfire.  Due to concerns for firefighter safety and multiple incident objectives, The Incident Management Team has determined that offensive actions will not be taken in the snag-lad

200+ Structures, BNSF Snow Sheds, and 1 Wooden Trestle Now Deemed At Risk Update - 3:30pm  Highway 2 CLOSED The Sheep Fire has moved to about 1 mile from the highway and the BNSF tracks. Both have been closed temporarily to allow firefighters safe access to the fire...

ESSEX RESIDENTS ADVISED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS The Incident Management Team in charge of the Thompson Wildfire Complex held a public meeting Tuesday evening to inform residents of the Essex area about two fires that broke out over the weekend...