Fire Season Starts in the Bob Marshall

GREAT FALLS - The first wildfire of the season in the Bob Marshall Wilderness was reported Saturday morning, April 9. The Elk Hill Fire was estimated at 1,086 acres on April 11 and 40 firefighters were staffing the fire. It appears to have been human caused from a warming or campfire but is still under investigation.

The Elk Hill Fire is located on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District, Lewis and Clark National Forest. When the fire was first reported its estimated size was 500 acres. By the end of the weekend it grew to more than a 1,000 acres due to some spread and more accurate mapping.

On Tuesday, the Elk Hill Fire was actively burning near lower North Fork Sun River, southeast of the Forest Service cabin on Cabin Creek. The fire was burning in grass and in downfall within the perimeter of a wildfire from 2005, moving into stands of mature Douglas fir. Although the weather is warm, this fire is primarily fuels-driven with potential for continued rapid spread.

Fire personnel continued suppression efforts where it was safe. Three helicopters, one Type 1 and two, Type 2s, helped with on-the-ground efforts by providing water-bucket drops when needed.

As of April 12 four trails have been closed:

• North Fork Sun River Trail #201 from jct. with #268 north to jct. with #231.1 (northwest of Cabin Creek Cabin)

• Circle Creek Trail #231 from jct. with #201 north to #231.1 and southeast to jct. with #208

• Cabin Creek Admin. Connector #231.1 closed in its entirety

• Circle Creek Connector #268.1 closed in its entirety.

For the most up-to-date information visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4685/