The Spotted Bear District has lifted an area closure around the Trail Creek and Bear Creek Fires. The Spotted Bear River Road and the Meadow Creek Road are now open. In addition, the Youngs Creek area and the trails near the Lena Lake Fire are also open.

The rea had been closed due to the Bear Creek and Trail Creek Fires, which burned more than 90,000 acres in the district.

Some trails remain closed, however, including the eastside South Fork of the Flathead River trail No. 80 from Meadow Creek Gorge to Black Bear.

Other trails that are still closed include:

• Trail Creek Trail No. 731

• Green Mountain Lookout Trail No. 75

• Schafer Creek Trail No. 327 from Trail Creek Trailhead to where the trail crosses the West Fork of Shafer Creek

• Spy Mountain Trail No. 238 from its junction with No. 731 to its junction with No. 75.

Firewood cutting and camping along the Meadow Creek Road and open lateral roads are prohibited at this time.  Camping and firewood cutting will be allowed at the developed recreation sites of the Gorge Creek Trailhead and Meadow Creek Trailhead.  This wood must be dead and down, less than 12 inches in diameter and used within the campground. Also, firewood cutting along the Spotted Bear River Road and open lateral roads area prohibited at this time, due to public safety. 

 All users are asked to be cautious in fire areas, as there are still thousands of burned trees and stumps that are potentially hazardous. 

The closure lifting comes just in time for the backcountry hunting season, which opened Sept. 15 in the wilderness.

For additional information, contact the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 406-785-5376.