Star Meadow evacuation lifted Sunday

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office evacuation order for the Star Meadow area was lifted Sunday evening - a sign that firefighters improved their grasp on the Brush Creek Fire a few miles to he west.

However, a evacuation request - a sort of voluntary evacuation plea - was still in effect for the Good Creek area north of the fire.

This fire's northward spread drastically slowed Sunday, with firefighters helped by increasing humidity.

It gained 469 acres - mostly along its northern border - to reach 29,676 acres by Sunday evening. However, firefighters finished digging the fire line north of the blaze, which was 85 percent contained Sunday evening.

"It's been going very, very well," said fire information officer Annaleasa Winter.

Here is a rundown of other area fires.

Chippy Creek Fire

Firefighters braced for wind-driven flames, and lucked out.

The winds sputtered down.

"What we feared, didn't happen," said information officer Warren Bielenberg.

The fire grew from 92,785 acres to 96,154 acres Sunday.

Light rains drizzled on the flames Sunday evening, with firefighters hoping to get the upper hand today and Tuesday, in which low temperatures are predicted.

"We really want to hammer hard at getting it contained," Bielenberg said.

The fire was 30 percent contained Sunday evening with firefighters hoping to finish the southwest fire lines - where flames had been moving - today.

The trickiest part is the rugged north side of the fire, where firefighters have problems getting to the flames. Also, some burning wood is being hurled ahead of the main fire in that area.

The fire is about 3.5 miles south and southwest of the Hubbart Reservoir in Flathead County.

Skyland Fire

It was gusty winds versus line-digging firefighters.

Both got their licks in.

Winds still spread the fire along its southern side, increasing its size Sunday from 39,820 acres to 44,373 acres. Spotting - fiery wood being hurled ahead of the main fire - was a significant problem.

However, firefighters increased containment from 34 percent to 51 percent Sunday.

Jocko Lakes Fire

This fire is headed southeast to reach south of Placid Lake, prompting a mandatory evacuation order Sunday for the Placid Lake area from the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. Winds of 35 mph sped up the fire and caused poor visibility, forcing firefighters back on spots.

The fire increased from 27,140 acres to 31,520 acres Sunday.

Evacuees can go to shelters at the Red Cross Center or DeSmet School in Missoula.