Highway near Glacier reopens

HELENA – A highway south of Glacier National Park was reopened Sunday, just a half-mile from a wind-whipped wildfire that more than quadrupled in size, but a nearby lodge threatened by the flames remained evacuated.

Near-record heat and low humidity levels also fueled blazes to the south and west in Montana, with similar conditions forecast for today.

The Skyland fire ballooned from an estimated 1,000 acres to about 5,000 acres in 24 hours and was making runs to the northeast in heavy timber, said Dale Warriner, fire information officer.

It was just 2 percent contained, he said.

Authorities escorted traffic on U.S. Highway 2 through the area along the southern edge of the park in northwest Montana. Fire managers warned it could be closed again if the blaze flared up like it did Saturday, when wind kicked it across control lines and prompted authorities to shut down a 24-mile stretch of the highway.

Guests and 18 employees at Summit Station Lodge along U.S. 2 remained evacuated as flames advanced to within a mile of the facility. Crews were protecting the lodge and tearing down trees that were close to cabins.

Containment of a fire north of Helena, which had charred nearly 10 square miles, fell from 15 percent to 10 percent Sunday in “extremely significant” fire conditions, officials said. A huge plume of smoke was visible from Helena and Interstate 15.

Growth of the Meriwether fire was expected, but fire information officer Bonney McNabb said updated acreage figures would not be available until Sunday night. Evacuation orders remained in effect for 40 homes in the American Bar subdivision along the Missouri River, and the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness and surrounding recreation sites remained closed. The Gates of the Mountains boat tours were operating on a limited route.

The Ahorn fire west of Augusta grew by 1,000 acres to 16,870 acres, crossing Ahorn Creek on the west side. More than 340 personnel were on the scene, and the blaze was 13 percent contained.

Near Polson, the Garceau fire remained at 3,050 acres and was 50 percent contained. No homes were threatened, but 25 were considered at risk and firefighters have structure protection in place, said Jill Cobb, fire information officer.

In Idaho, containment was in sight Sunday for firefighters toiling on the giant Murphy Complex of fires in southern Idaho and northern Nevada.

Fire bosses said they hoped to complete about 40 miles of fire lines late Sunday or early today.

The lightning-caused blaze had scorched about 1,030 square miles and was about 86 percent contained Sunday, with fire personnel being shifted to other fires, fire information officer Pam Bierce said.

“So much has burned in this fire that every single acre remaining is far more precious,” she said.

No serious injuries had been reported, but much grazing area had burned and an unknown number of cattle died. Three outbuildings were burned early in the fire, which began July 16.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, and Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo, all Republicans, announced Sunday they would fly over the Murphy Complex today.

To the north, the Poe Cabin fire, burning about 23 miles southwest of Grangeville in North Idaho, moved late Saturday into the Hells Canyon Wilderness, said Brian Scott, fire information officer.

The fire, cause unknown, was not being fought in the wilderness because no structures were at risk and there weren’t enough firefighters, he said. The fire grew 8 square miles and was listed at 78 square miles and 45 percent contained on Sunday, he said.

One fire crew was using a boat to travel on the Snake River and then hike into the Nez Perce National Forest to clear brush from buildings that appeared to be in the fire’s path, he said. One firefighter sustained a serious knee injury Sunday, but details were not available, he said.

The lightning-caused Middle Fork Complex of fires burning on the Boise National Forest about 18 miles northeast of Lowman forced the evacuation of a fire lookout, and roads and hiking trails in the area were closed.

However, Kay Beall, fire information officer, said visitors to the popular recreation area were removing some road and trail barriers.

The fire was about 13 square miles and 20 percent contained.