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FINAL UPDATE ON THE NIARADA AND MILL POCKET FIRES Barring any significant developments, this will be the final update for these fires. Both the Niarada Fire and Mill Pocket Fire are 100% contained.

Firefighters on the Niarada Fire worked to backhaul excess gear and equipment Sunday as the fire moves into suppression repair mode. Crews hauled hose, pumps, tanks and equipment as fire managers work to thin personnel numbers in the coming days and send resources to other fires that might have greater needs.

Niarada, & Mill Pocket Fires

Fire lines built over the past several weeks were tested by intense winds Friday and withstood 30-40 mph gusts. Firefighters were on alert for any blowing embers or new spot fires outside the line while also working to mop up some areas and work on suppression repair in others.

Today, a CSKT Type 3 Incident Management Team, headed by Rob Berney, has taken command of the Niarada and Mill Pocket fires as the Northern Rockies team has timed out. While leadership and command positions on the fire have changed, the crews, equipment and personnel on the ground remain largely unchanged and are in place to continue to build containment on both fires.

Location: Big Knife - 5 miles east of Arlee, MT | Niarada - 12 miles west of Elmo, MT | Mill Pocket: 3 miles West of Hwy. 28

Location: Big Knife - 5 miles east of Arlee, MT | Niarada - 12 miles west of Elmo, MT | Mill Pocket: 3 miles West of Hwy. 28

Location: Big Knife - 5 miles east of Arlee, MT | Niarada - 12 miles west of Elmo, MT | Mill Pocket: 3 miles West of Hwy. 28

Big Knife, Niarada, & Mill Pocket Fires Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Big Knife, Niarada, & Mill Pocket Fires Daily Update August 12, 2023 Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Fire Information: 406-426-9595 | 2023.BigKnife@firenet.gov