Weather slows two major fires

But Jocko Lakes blaze prompts disaster declaration from governor

Two major forest fires burning toward the Flathead Valley slowed down significantly Sunday because of reversing winds and atmospheric conditions.

But a fire west of Seeley Lake was threatening homes in that area 100 miles from Kalispell and led to the closure of a large section of Montana 83.

Here is a rundown of major fires:

Brush Creek Fire

Sunday's winds quit blowing to the east and headed back west Sunday - stopping flames about three miles west of the Star Meadow community. The fire's size grew from slightly less than 16,000 aces to 17,438 acres Sunday. It was about 5 percent contained.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office is keeping its evacuation order in effect for Star Meadow homes.

And the Sheriff's Office has warned Good Creek area residents a few miles to the north that they could be evacuated.

Good Creek people needing extra care or those with livestock and large mobile properties should start moving out, officials said.

The Red Cross site for evacuees at Whitefish's Muldown Elementary School has been closed. No evacuees had used it.

Potential exists for winds to whip flames back into motion - especially on ridge tops. Isolated storms could move from the southwest to the northeast.

Jocko Lakes Fire

This as Sunday's fastest-growing fire with winds boosting it from 5,000 acres to as much as 18,000 acres by Sunday evening.

The fire reportedly was one mile west of Seeley Lake and had destroyed one house and damaged another.

At 9 p.m. Sunday, homes north and west of Seeley Lake were to be evacuated, but not the town itself. The Placid Lake area was evacuated Saturday.

This fire prompted Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer to declare a state of emergency Sunday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay for

as much as 75 percent of the costs of fighting this fire.

The fire has closed Montana 83 between Condon north of Seeley Lake and the Clearwater Junction of Montana 83 and Montana 200. Jocko Road is closed between Arlee and Seeley Lake.

Chippy Creek Fire

This fire - which started 24 miles north of Thompson Falls and is now 33 miles from Kalispell - slowed down greatly Sunday, growing from 36,140 acres to a roughly estimated 40,000 acres.

The fire had grown from 7,000 acres Friday to 36,140 acres late Saturday.

An air inversion slowed the fire Sunday and also handicapped efforts to get a precise measurement of its size, said Bob Dyson, information officer for the

management team. When the inversion lifts, the fire is expected to pick up speed again.

The fire's front was seven miles south of Flathead County's Hubbart Reservoir on Sunday evening. Hubbart Reservoir's south end is about 26 miles southwest of Kalispell.

All federal, state and Plum Creek roads between U.S. 2 and the Little Thompson River are closed.

Skyland Fire

This fire near Marias Pass grew slightly Sunday from 30,457 acres to 32,170. It was about 10 percent contained.

Winds blew smoke into East Glacier. The village has been warned that the possibility exists of an evacuation being ordered.

The fire - which began three miles south of Marias Pass - is expected to shift directions to the north and south, most likely to the south.

U.S. 2 remains open, but vehicles must proceed at reduced speeds.

The fire has reached into the Blackfeet Reservation, just across the Heart Butte Cutoff Road along Deep Creek. The fire is within a few miles of East Glacier.

The fire is about 19 miles long and possibly more than two miles wide at its widest point, fire officials said.

So far, two ranch outbuildings have been burned down.

Fool Creek Fire

This Bob Marshall Wilderness fire 30 miles northwest of Choteau slowed down Sunday, barely growing at all on the upper West Fork of the Teton River and in the Strawberry Creek area. It was estimated at 29,857 acres Sunday evening - none of it contained.

A portable retardant manufacturing plant has been set up in the area.

The weather - including some possible light showers - is expected to slow the growth of the fire today. However, Tuesday is expected to be much drier with the fire potentially picking up again.

At this time, firefighters have no effective way to attack the flames on the ground, with helicopters handling the bulk of the fight.

Ahorn Fire

Firefighters are hunkered down for the long haul in battling the northbound, 43,900-acre fire 30 miles west of Augusta. The fire is predicted to grow 1,500 to 2,000 acres today. It was 2 percent contained Sunday.

On Sunday, fire break lines were cleared south, east and north of the fire.