The first few feet of the Skillet Fire front have been contained.

Crews have been conducting burnouts and dozing containment lines throughout the week in an attempt to wrangle control of the fire burning in the Good Creek area about 15 miles west of Olney, but containment remained at zero percent until Thursday morning. As of Aug. 6, firefighters have successfully contained 3% of the fire’s perimeter, even as the total burned area grew to 2,870 acres. 

Officials expected to have more of the fire’s perimeter contained by Thursday evening as crews worked throughout the day to dig containment lines and aircraft dosed the fire with retardant and water. 

Nearly 500 personnel are now deployed on the Skillet Fire, as well as 20 engines and seven helicopters. Firefighting costs reached $4.8 million by Thursday morning.   

The fire is expected to increase in activity over the coming days as warm temperatures and high pressure parch forest fuels. Elevated winds will increase the risk of spot fires through the weekend. 

THE SILVERTIP Fire continues to creep and smolder near the headwaters of Silvertip Creek in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The fire now totals 6,221 acres. 

Firefighters attempted to use direct tactics against the blaze shortly after it was detected July 24, but officials quickly recalibrated to a more defensive approach due to the fire’s remote nature and the scarcity of nationwide firefighting resources during a particularly active fire season. Personnel continue to monitor the blaze. 

Crews also cleared fuels around Silvertip Cabin and covered the structure in protective wrapping. The cabin sits about four and a half miles from the current fire perimeter. 

The 1,235-acre Elder I Fire near Frenchtown has been 100% contained. Crews will continue to patrol the fire line and mop up hotspots for several days. 

THE MONTANA Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality alert Thursday for the entirety of western Montana.  

The air quality index throughout Flathead County hovered near the threshold between unhealthy for sensitive groups and unhealthy on Thursday afternoon, with the highest particulate concentrations occurring to the northwest.  

Heavy smoke is expected to remain in the region through Friday, according to the state environmental agency’s Aug. 6 smoke forecast. The worst conditions will occur in the mornings, as temperature inversions trap smoke near the surface. 

Stage one fire restrictions went into effect on all tribal trust and tribal fee lands within the Flathead Reservation at 1 a.m., Aug. 7.  

All fires are prohibited outside of designated recreation areas, and motorized vehicles are permitted only on designated trails and roads. Outdoor smoking is limited to designated recreation areas and barren areas at least three feet in diameter.