Evacuation orders continue for some homes along Montana 35

Evacuation orders remained in place Wednesday for some residents along Montana 35 due to the Boulder 2700 Fire east of Polson.

The mandatory order affects homes between Mahood Lane and mile marker 12 on the east side of Flathead Lake.

On Tuesday, Finley Point residents south of Mahood Lane were allowed to return to their homes. Power was also restored to the Finley Point area.

Montana 35 remained closed Wednesday from Polson to Blue Bay. Lake County sheriff's deputies were issuing reentry permits at a checkpoint at mile marker 2 on Montana 35, and at Linderman Elementary School in Polson.

Fire managers estimated the blaze at 1,416 acres with 0% containment. Helicopters dropped water along the southeast flank to slow the fire's movement uphill, while hand crews were working to strengthen lines on the north and south flanks.

It is burning in the Mission Mountains above Flathead Lake. Multiple structures were lost in the early morning hours of Aug. 1 when winds blew the fire across Montana 35.

The fire's cause is under investigation.

AT THE Hay Creek Fire west of Polebridge, crews were setting up camps for approximately 100 firefighters in the Home Ranch Bottoms area. The new camps are closer to the fire, and managers hoped they will improve efficiency in operations on the fire they called a "sleeping giant."

The fire was estimated at 2,677 acres on Wednesday, with 9% containment.

Crews on Wednesday were flown to the Coal Ridge Cabin to evaluate the possibility of a structure wrap to protect the historic building. Other crews were establishing temporary stream crossings to allow vehicles to continue to move west on Hay Creek Road #376.

A cold front moving in Friday is expected usher in notably stronger winds, with gusts of at least 40 mph possible.