UPDATE: Wildfires New Fires Reported This Week

GREAT FALLS — A new wildfire was reported Wednesday in southern Cascade County. The Deep Creek Fire is burning over 72 acres of timber in the Northwest corner of the Little Belt Mountains, just north of the Meagher County line. The Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest says the fire is east of the Smith River between Deep Creek and Temple Gulch. 23 personnel are on site, bcked up by 3 helicopters. A Type 3 team will take over today.
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MISSOULA --The Solomon Fire is burning southeast of Missoula, MT in the Welcome Creek Wilderness on the Lolo Natl Forest. It is located approximately 6 miles south of Interstate 90/Rock Creek Exit #126, near Solomon Mountain

The fire is burning in a steep, thickly timbered bowl with snags, or hazard trees, making up about half of the standing fuel. The terrain, fuel type, and the presence of snag trees, limit the ability to put firefighters directly on the fire. Air support, such as helicopters, may be used to slow and limit potential fire spread. No structures or infrastructure are threatened.
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DILLON -- A small lightning-sparked fire has been reported in the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest. Five firefighters have been sent in to deal with the 517-acre Trail Ridge Fire which is southeast of Sula, near the Continental Divide Trail. The fire is being fed by dead and down timber.
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GLACIER NATL PARK -- The Quartz Fire showed some isolated activity on Thursday, with two locations producing smoke. Activity was focused on the southern tip of the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters at Quartz Lake will hike out today and will be replaced by another fresh crew. The new crew will continue the previous crew’s efforts of patrolling and monitoring fire activity in the Quartz drainage. The fire is still listed at 1698 acres.

The Flat Mineral Fire, located in the Flattop Mountain area above Mineral Creek in Glacier National Park, is being observed by the Swiftcurrent Lookout. The single-tree fire is located in a remote area of the park within the perimeter of the 2003 Trapper Fire. The fire continued to produce little smoke on Wednesday and has not had any observable growth.

On Thursday, Glacier’s initial attack resources assisted neighboring agencies with emerging fires outside the park. On the east side of the park, crews responded to the Mile Marker 18 fire southeast of Babb. West Glacier initial attack crews responded to the Lemonade Fire west of Kalispell. Additional firefighters remain available for any emerging fires that are discovered within the park.

The fire danger rating in Glacier National Park is still Very High, and is expected to remain so through the Labor Day weekend, . All park visitors are reminded that campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings or grates and should be kept small. Never leave a fire unattended and drown any campfire with water until cold to the touch before leaving it.
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HAMILTON -- The Hog Trough Fire, a 1701 acre fire 18 miles southeast of Hamiltion is still commanding the attention of 80 firefighters, though the fire is showing only minimal creeping and smoldering lately. No structures are threatened by this fire. Any movement over the next 24 hours is expected to be to the south and east, in previously-burned areas.