Wildfires show steady growth

Several wildfires touched off by lightning Sept. 8 made galloping runs over the weekend along the Continental Divide, most of them in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

The Puzzle Fire, however, has burned 1,372 acres outside the wilderness south of Marias Pass. Because of the likelihood it will expand eastward across the Divide, it is being jointly managed by the Flathead National Forest and the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

“The fire is actively burning through heavy timber with dead and down snags, and is spreading in all directions,” a press release from the Flathead Forest states.

The fire has prompted the closure of several trails as well as the Upper Skyland Road at its junction with the Granite Creek Road.

Spots fires have been emerging east of the Divide as far as a half mile ahead of the main fire, and fire bosses intend to use a “confine and contain” strategy for eventually heading it off. There are currently only about 17 people assigned to it, but more resources could be called in.

Further south along the Divide in the wilderness, the Stadler Creek Fire grew to 349 acres, the Clack Creek Fire grew to 106 acres and there is a 20-acre fire in the Ayers and Fiction Creek area.

Meanwhile, the Big Salmon Lake Fire that has been burning for several weeks has now covered nearly 5,000 acres, prompting modified trail closures, and the Hammer Creek Fire has grown to the east toward the Divide, covering 5,600 acres so far.

For information on road and trail closures in Puzzle Fire area, call the Hungry Horse Ranger Station at 387-3800.

For information on trail closures in the wilderness, call the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 758-5376.