Forest officials announced Thursday that wilderness areas in the Spotted Bear Ranger District will be closed to public use until fire danger subsides.
The sections of Bob Marshall and Great Bear wildernesses in the ranger district are being restricted as 19 wildfires burn in the area, forest managers said. Forest personnel will be evaluating the fire conditions daily to determine when it is safe to reopen the wilderness, according to the announcement.
Three of the largest fires – Bear Creek, Trail Creek, and Three Sisters – have burned a combined 40,131 acres. The Bear Creek Fire is the largest in Montana at 28,700 acres.
The Lena Lake Fire was detected on Aug. 26 on the east side of Lena Lake. It has burned 40 acres and is actively moving toward the lake with a couple of spots to the west. Crews are beginning to install structure protection at Shaw and Pendant Cabins.
The Spring Lake Fire is 75 acres.
The Youngs Creek Fire has burned 450 acres and is moving on the ridge between Ross Creek and Devine Dreek.
The Miner Creek Fire has burned 265 acres.