Single Publication

FINAL UPDATE ON THE BIG KNIFE FIRE

Barring any significant developments, this will be the final update for this fire. CSKT Division of Fire personnel will assume command of the fire Wednesday morning at 6 A.M.

Heavy equipment is continuing to repair areas that were impacted over the course of the fire. Dozer lines are being naturalized. Crews are patrolling lines today to remove any miscellaneous materials left behind.

Forecasted precipitation will have a significant impact to any remaining heat and limit any fire growth and behavior in the next few days. There still is minimal fire within the interior and as the rain passes and fuels dry out, smoke, creeping, and smoldering is possible. It will take a season-ending event, such as snow, to truly put these fires out for good.

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 until Tuesday night at midnight. Do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) near the fire areas.

Weather: Expect a change in the weather pattern today in the mid to late afternoon, as a strong cold front moves in. A chance of thunderstorms in the evening hours gives way to precipitation Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon. Rainfall amounts could be anywhere from 0.26 to 0.87 inches. More showers and thunderstorms arrive over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

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 In Stage 1 fire restrictions the following are prohibited until rescinded: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site or improved site.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.                                           ###