HAMILTON - Crews are continuing to battle the Hog Trough and Fuse Lake fires in the Bitterroot National Forest.
The blazes — which were both sparked by lightning — have burned a combined 1,705 acres.
The fires are burning in rugged and remote terrain 18 miles southeast of Hamilton.
No structures are currently threatened.
Fire managers report fire behavior on the Hog Trough Fire was minimal yesterday due to cooler temperatures, scattered precipitation, and higher humidity levels.
The Fuse Lake Fire showed little to no perimeter growth on Sunday and is now 75% contained.
There are 181 people assigned to the fires.
Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Skalkaho Highway to near the Skalkaho Creek Trailhead. Forest Service 5071 Road is closed.
Stage II fire restrictions are in effect on all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana.
- Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road.
- Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).
- Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.
- Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.
- Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.
- A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.
- Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503
