Air Attack on Observation Fire in Bitterroot Forest

A small amount of growth in the Observation Fire on the Bitterroot National Forest Friday. Saturday morning, Doug Turman's Incident Management team reported the size of the forest fire at 1,292 acres, with most growth on the north end of the blaze. There has been some group tree torching and spotting there.

The seven helicopters dropped water and retardant on the rugged, inaccessible portions of the fire north of Lost Horse Canyon. In the the canyon, ground crews mopped up and improved line along the Lost Horse Road with the goal of keeping fire on the north side of the road.

Crews also constructed direct line on the east side of the fire and improved line on the southeast section.

More retardant will be spread by air support on Camas Creek Ridge, northeast of the fire, as part of a contingency line.

The fire is 10 percent contained. There are over 360 people on the Observation fire, which is 10 miles southwest of Hamilton. The fire is burning in bug-killed subalpine fire and lodge pole pine. Stage 1 evacuation warnings are still in effect for about 200 homes from Lost Horse to Gold Creek Loop, west of US 93.

A reminder - no fireworks are allowed on state or federal forest land.