Forest Fires Grow in Continuing Hot Weather

Two forest fires near the Bitterroot Valley have each grown over the weekend, according in the Incident Command reports. Idaho's Shissler Fire on the New Perce-Clearwater National Forest is now at 1,990 acres with growth caused by afternoon winds Saturday, August 22. The fire, southeast of Elk City, Idaho, moved east into Meadow Creek. Structure protection is being set up along Hot Springs Road and Red River Hot Springs. No evacuations yet, but area roads and trails are closed, including the Bridge Creek Campground. However, as of Saturday evening, the Magruder Road was still open, but there is an increasing amount of fire traffic.

In Montana, southeast of the Bitterroot Valley, the Bear Creek Fire at Lemhi Pass is now estimated at 10,275 acres on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The fire crews completed some burnouts ahead of the fire and strengthened the firelines Saturday. A reminder - Lemhi Pass Road is closed from its junction with Montana Highway 324 to the pass. No evacuations have been ordered at this time.

A lightning-caused fire in the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness has caused trail closures. The Double Fire about 10 miles north of the Moose Creek Ranger Station is now 30 acres. The Bailey Mountain Trail #619 and trail 618 from North Fork Moose Creek to Maple Lake Peak have been closed. The Nez Perce Forest reported three new "hold-over" lightning fires Saturday.