BOZEMAN – Recent rain is helping bring under control the two fires in the Gravelly Range south of Ennis.
The Wigwam Fire is 100% contained, while the Monument Fire is 56% contained, according to the Forest Service, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
Currently, about 70 personnel, 2 fire engines, 2 dozers and 3 helicopters are helping wrap up the fires.
“We like our equipment and our engines that can bring water but when it comes down from the sky naturally that’s also definitely a big help,” said Incident Commander Trainee Randy Gilbert.
Incident command officials report .25 inch of rain was received in the area Monday. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise says every tenth an inch of rain dumps 2,715 gallons of water on an acre where it falls.
The fires are believed to have started by lightning around August 11, according to Leona Rodreick, public affairs officer for the Forest Service.
Reporting by Mallory Peebles for MTN News
