The Elmo Fire grew by another 2,100 acres yesterday and is listed this morning at 18,427 acres. The southern flank of the fire has been contained, as firefighters kept it from crossing Highway 28 over the weekend. Work continues to build fireline on the east and west flanks. Water drops are being used to protect hay meadows along the fire's edge. Officials say with hot, dry, windy weather in the forecast, they expect the fire to aggressively attack their firelines, especially to the north and east.

Evacuation orders issued Monday afternoon remain in effect for residents north of the fire, along Lake Mary Ronan Road and west of Hwy 93. Red Cross evacuation centers are located at Somers Middle School and Polson High School.

Perimeter Map of the Elmo Fire, as of August 3, 2022. Supplied by INCIWEB
Perimeter Map of the Elmo Fire, as of August 3, 2022. Supplied by INCIWEB
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A new lightning-caused fire has been confirmed south of Flathead Lake. The Red Horn Fire covers 37acres as of this (Wednesday) morning, and is expected to grow, since it's located in a densly forested area 7 miles northeast of St Ignatius. The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes' Division of Fire is the lead agency. They
say the area is is within the Mission Mountain Wilderness Grizzley Bear Management Zone, which is closed to recreation this time of year because grizzlies are active in the area.
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The lightning-caused Clover Fire is still burning on just under 1,100 acres along the Middle Fork of Warm Springs Creek in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, south of Ennis. Officials say burnout operations will continue on the northeast side of the fire as fire activity and weather conditions permit, and they say they have contained 24% of the perimeter, but they don't expect this one to be fully contained until late October.
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The Hog Trough Fire continues to burn in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests, east of Hamilton. There are no structures currently threatened and no evacuations. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire covered 731 Acres, and is most active along its northwest and southeast corners. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire to the south of Highway 38, which runs between Hamilton and Phillipsburg.

Perimeter Map of the Hog Trough Fire, as of August 3, 2022. Supplied by INCIWEB
Perimeter Map of the Hog Trough Fire, as of August 3, 2022. Supplied by INCIWEB
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The Weasel Fire was discovered Saturday in the northeast corner of Lincoln County, 14 miles northeast of Eureka. 69 firefighters are currently working on the fire, which is estimated at 155 acres, but expected to expand in all directions due to heavy timber, hot and windy weather, and dry fuels.

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