Firefighters have gained 82% containment on the Skillet Fire west of Olney about three weeks after its start.

Despite the severity of fires across the nation and the limited availability of resources, fire managers were provided with the crews, equipment and supplies needed to successfully protect homes, critical infrastructure and timber values. 

Local teams have resumed command of the Skillet Fire as Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7 and other crews leave.

Over $20 million was spent fighting the fire estimated to have burned 3,364 acres. While on the ground, crews completed at least 18.4 miles of dozer line, five miles of hand line and 55 miles of hose lays. 

Firefighters will continue to mop up along completed containment lines and aircraft from local units will be available to respond should fire activity require aerial efforts.  

Evacuation warnings were lifted but a closure remains in place for the fire area in the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests. Fuels on the interior can continue to smolder, which may send up smoke or show pockets of activity. 

Significant rain last week brought a reprieve from the smoke.  Weather conditions are trending warmer and drier, but fire activity is unlikely to spread outside of existing containment lines. 

The widespread rain helped put a stop to the rapidly growing Sand Creek Fire in southwest Montana as well. At 31,667 acres, it is the largest wildfire in the state. The Bobcat Lakes Fire is estimated at 9,892 acres. 

The Sand Creek Fire damaged the singular chairlift and a ski patrol cabin at Maverick Mountain, but most of the ski area's infrastructure and equipment was spared. With about 150 residents nearby, no other structures were reported lost.  

    Fire burning a tree in the interior of the Skillet Fire on Aug. 6. (Inciweb photo)