Swan Valley fire grows to 138 acres

After it appeared under control last week, a wildfire burning alongside Montana 83 in the Swan Valley jumped the highway Friday evening, resulting in a temporary closure of the thoroughfare between Swan Lake and Salmon Prairie.

“It didn’t grow too much, but we did have some spotting across the highway,” said Dylan Dickenson, a trainee with the Type 3 Incident Command Team assigned to the Scout Lake fire.

The fire took off Sept. 28 on Department of Natural Resources and Conservation land. Fires from slash burns the week before rekindled after several days of hot, dry weather and spread to adjacent forest lands, burning through an estimated 138 acres by Monday morning.

Dickenson said that while winds had propelled embers across the highway Friday evening, none of the spot fires east of the road grew larger than about an acre. Fifty percent of the fire perimeter is contained.

The reduced speed limit of 35 miles per hour remains in effect where crews are still working alongside the Swan Highway. Dickenson said that fire crews will continue to work likely until mid-week, depending on weather conditions.

The National Weather Service forecasts a 30 to 50 percent chance of showers in Swan Lake throughout the week.

Smoke from the fire will continue to be present in the area through the week, with heavier smoke settling into the valley during the early mornings and evenings.

For more information, call 406-751-2270 or 406-754-2301.