Single Publication

The Bull Gin Complex is currently 3,047 acres and 0% contained.

Government Fire: 1,791 acres (NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire:  992 acres (NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 264 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)

Expect another smoke-filled day as smoke from fires to the west and local fires settles over the area. Visibility will be significantly reduced; please adhere to lowered speeds along the highways. Temperatures and fire activity will be moderated by smoke in the area.

Government Fire: Fire growth occurred on the north, east, and south sides of the fire later in the evening with the most active burning taking place from 6:00 PM and early morning. Handcrews, engines, and skidgines successfully held the fire at control lines on the west side in the Government Creek area; mitigating trees falling over the control line and utilizing water to cool the fire’s edge. On the east side, as the fire approaches the Rock Creek drainage, vegetation removal along control lines is ongoing as firefighters and heavy equipment reduce the fuels along the road system. Construction of the dozer line to the south of the fire and north of residences on Government Mountain Road is complete. Handcrews will clean up the dozer line removing snags and other fuels as necessary and install hose lays to ensure water is available on the line. Heavy equipment, followed by handcrews are clearing road 2763 of fuels to create a check-line, a temporary fireline used to regulate fire heat and intensity as the fire continues to slowly move south. Night operations are in place with engines monitoring fire spread to the south and attending to trees that fall over the control line on the west end of the fire.

Firefighters on the three-acre fire Rock Lake Fire will ensure the perimeter is secure and there are no areas of heat near the fire edge.

Billiard Fire: The northwest side of the fire is holding along constructed dozer and handline near the 2290 road, northeast of Fatman Mountain. Firefighters will use small firing operations to consume fuels between the control line and the main fire to square off the fire’s edge as the fire reaches the line near Fatman Saddle. Water systems including hoses, sprinklers, pumps, and portable water tanks are in place for all structures along Blue Creek, Blue Creek Bay, Hillside Lane, and Fatman Road.

Isabella Lake Fire: The fire remains unstaffed and monitored from the air. Minimal growth of approximately nine acres occurred yesterday.

Evacuations: On September 8th the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office placed the residents along Government Mountain Road and Timber Ridge Road into pre-evacuation status. Please sign up for Sanders County Emergency Alerts at 406-203-0082 to stay informed on the status of emergency conditions.

Closures: Area, road, and trail closures are in place for the Government, Billiard, and Isabella Lake Fires to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. See Inciweb for maps and closure descriptions.

Weather: Temperatures in the mid-70s with relatively light winds (4 to 8 mph) out of the east along the ridgetops.