Evacuation order lifted for Niarada Fire as rain slows growth

Some residents under evacuation orders were allowed to return home Monday after fire crews made progress on containing the Niarada Fire west of Elmo thanks to below normal temperatures and some much-needed rainfall.

Size estimates on Monday morning put the lightning-caused fire at 18,366 acres, with containment at 7%. Nearly 170 firefighters were assigned to the incident under the command of Mike Behrens’ Northern Rockies Team 3. Full containment was expected by Aug. 26.

A wetting rain doused the area Sunday with more precipitation expected Monday into Tuesday. Fire activity and growth slowed with the favorable weather, fire managers reported Monday.

Firefighters continued to secure lines along Cromwell Creek Road on the fire's northeastern perimeter. Some crews were shifted to the southern and eastern sides of the fire to prepare for potential firing operations over the next few days. 

Firefighters working the nearby Mill Pocket Fire continue to improve control lines over the weekend. The fire was sized at 2,135 acres and approximately 35% contained.

On Monday, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office lifted its evacuation notice for homes along Browns Meadow Road to Montana 28, including Kofford Ridge Road and Battle Butte Road. The area had been under an evacuation order since the fire began to spread.

A pre-evacuation warning was removed for the Mill Pocket Fire.

Also in the Mission Valley, the Big Knife Fire east of Arlee was sized at 4,864 acres with 5% containment on Monday. Rainfall over the area moderated fire behavior and growth over the weekend.

FIRE ACTIVITY also moderated on the Ridge Fire due to the cooler weather.

Size estimates Monday put the fire along Hungry Horse Reservoir’s Emery Bay at 2,773 acres, an increase of 189 acres.

Heavy equipment was working on a fuel break near Hard Money Road to decrease potential fire intensity should the fire reach private property to the west. Meanwhile, hand crews and a masticator worked on the fuel break on East Side Road No. 38.

More than 175 firefighters were assigned to the incident on the Flathead National Forest.

An air quality alert was in place through Tuesday for Lake and Flathead counties due to elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke. Along with local wildfire smoke, Northwest Montana was also being impacted by smoke from Canadian wildfires on Monday.

Looking ahead, the National Weather Service reports that another storm will swing across the region through early Tuesday, providing additional chances for rain.

Starting Wednesday, warmer and drier conditions return, which will ramp up fire activity. Winds will also increase by midweek, producing erratic fire behavior.

Temperatures will remain average to slightly below average through the week.