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As the warming and drying trend persists, fuels will dry out, and fire will continue to creep and smolder. Overnight humidity recoveries in the 80-90% ranges are helping to minimize smoke impacts.

The final piece of handline from S Canal Rd to the fire’s edge was completed yesterday and personnel will be back today to improve the holding feature. All pumps and hose-lays along the S Canal Rd have been removed and crews continue their suppression repair efforts.

An estimated 15.6 miles of line, including both hand line and dozer line, is identified for suppression repair work. Line repair involves pulling soil and organic material back into the line and re-contouring if needed. Brush and logs are placed on top to blend the line in with its surroundings, limit erosion, and discourage off-road use. Water bars will be installed in areas to divert the flow of water off a line to minimize erosion. Excavators repair dozer lines while hand crews restore the hand lines.

The Big Knife Fire is currently 1.25 miles north of the Rattlesnake Wilderness Boundary (Lolo National Forest) with no significant growth towards the Lolo National Forest in the last week. Smoke from the fire may impact the Snowbowl area, however the Lolo National Forest does not have any forest closures in place on the Missoula Ranger District.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES: Several areas near the base of the mountains west of the Big Knife Fire remain in PRE-EVACUATION WARNING by order of the Lake County Sheriff. See the map for those locations in yellow (Jocko, Canal, Francis). The Tribal Primitive Area, Belmore Slough and Burnt Cabin Roads are closed.

A PRE-EVACUATION WARNING means you may remain in your home. Individuals in this status should not bring back evacuated livestock until this status is lifted.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect around the fire area. Do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) near the fire areas.

Weather: Another hot and dry day is expected today, with temperatures creeping into the mid to high 80s with relative humidities in the high teens and 20s.  

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Stage 1 fire restrictions are currently in place across the Flathead Indian Reservation and Lake County. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place in Granite County. In Stage 1 fire restrictions the following are prohibited until rescinded: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. On the Flathead Reservation, operating a motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails. Visit  https://www.mtfireinfo.org/ for more fire restriction information across Montana.