Road closures, evacuation warnings continue for Skillet Fire
MATT BALDWIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 hours, 36 minutes AGO
An air tanker flies over on the Skillet Fire on July 30, 2026. (Inciweb photo)
Hagadone Media Montana REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR Matt Baldwin is the regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana, where he helps guide coverage across eight newspapers throughout Northwest Montana. Under his leadership, the Daily Inter Lake received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Sam Gilluly Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism, Baldwin has called Montana home for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Sadie, have three daughters. He can be reached at 406‑758‑4447 or [email protected]. IMPACT: Baldwin’s work helps ensure Northwest Montana residents stay connected to their communities and informed about the issues that shape their everyday lives. | July 31, 2026 12:00 PM
Evacuation warnings and road closures remained in place for areas of the Flathead National Forest west of Olney as a wildfire continued to threaten at least 50 structures.
The Skillet Fire was estimated at 945 acres Friday and was 0% contained. Burning roughly 3 miles from the Good Creek community, the fire prompted evacuation warnings for Good Creek, Old Good Creek, Gregg Creek and Alder Creek.
About 45 firefighters with a Type 3 team were assigned to the blaze.
The fire was spreading west over Martin Divide and into the Kootenai Forest. Growth slowed Thursday as it approached logged areas, according to an update from the Flathead National Forest.
Aircraft dropped water and retardant on the fire, and a ground crew was working to secure roads in the Good Creek area.
Officials said a fire weather watch was in effect for Saturday as strong winds were expected to batter the area. Crews anticipated rapid fire growth during that period.
Road closures included Good Creek, Alder Creek, Martin Creek, Plume Creek, West Plume, Keith Mountain, Miller Creek, West Advent Creek, Alder Slope, Twin Meadows and Martin Divide roads.
ARTICLES BY MATT BALDWIN
Road closures, evacuation warnings continue for Skillet Fire
Evacuation warnings and road closures remained in place for areas on the Flathead National Forest west of Olney as a wildfire continued to threaten at least 50 structures.
Fire watch issued as new blaze surges in Northwest Montana
A rapidly expanding wildfire west of Olney prompted numerous road closures Thursday on the Flathead and Kootenai national forests as dangerous fire weather moves into the region this weekend.
Fire watch issued as new blaze surges in Northwest Montana
A rapidly expanding wildfire west of Olney prompted numerous road closures Thursday on the Flathead and Kootenai national forests as dangerous fire weather moves into the region this weekend.