Single Publication

CURRENT STATUS The Hog Trough Fire flared up late yesterday afternoon due to hot, dry, and breezy conditions. This caused the smoke column that was visible from the Bitterroot Valley floor. The increased fire activity was primarily located on the southwest corner of the fire, though increased fire behavior also occurred to the southeast. This area of the fire is primarily burning into itself, at the head of the Weasel Creek Trail, though some perimeter growth is expected. A Type 2 helicopter provided water bucket drops and a Wildland Fire Module worked to build and improve line in this area to minimize perimeter growth and reduce potential for spotting. Yesterday afternoon, aerial resources also provided initial attack support to a new fire that started to the northeast of the Hog Trough Fire, near Fuse Lake. Chipping operations will continue along the 75 Road and 711A today. To the north and east, crews will patrol for hotspots to extinguish. Keeping the fire south of the 711 Road system and west of the 75 road remains the primary objectives.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR Hot, dry, and breezy conditions in the afternoon will persist under mostly sunny skies. Low relative humidity values and winds may increase fire behavior. Conditions will continue to trend warm and dry with occasional breeziness this week. This warm, dry, and breezy weather will result in elevated fire weather conditions through much of the upcoming week. Creeping and smoldering fire behavior will continue, with occasional single tree torching across the fire area. 

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open. 
Road Closures:

• Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and 
  
• Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).
• Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed. 

Trail Closures:

• Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate. 
• Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.
• A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156. 
• Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503. 

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana. See mtfireinfo.org for more specific restrictions information.