Single Publication

CURRENT STATUS
The Hog Trough Fire is still benefitting from recent precipitation brought when strong thunderstorms moved over the fire area recently. Crews have been working to steer the fire into previously burned areas to the south where fire intensity will be lower. On the north and northwest flanks of the fire, the fire is contained and is now in patrol status. Today, the Central Montana Type 3 Incident Management Team will transition command of the fire to the Western Montana Type 3 IMT.

Yesterday on the southwest flank of the fire, crews brushed and snagged the fireline along the Weasel Creek Trail to improve and harden the existing fireline. Dozers finished improving the fuel break on the 503 trail moving toward the South Fork of Skalkaho Creek. Crews will work on improving this line over the next few days.

To the southeast, crews held and improved fireline along the Signal Rock Trail, where planned burnout operations took place before the precipitation occured. This line now has good depth from 50 to 150 feet that will prevent the fire from moving to the north toward the Skalkaho travel corridor. Firing operations were suspended due to recent wet weather. Crews also performed chipping operations along the 5071 road to clean and clear the road.

Yesterday, two Type 6 engines assigned to initial attack on the Hog Trough Fire responded to a new fire start just outside of the fire operational area. Local resource also responded and the fire was contained. This is a good reminder to the public that increased fire traffic poses a driving hazard and motorists should maintain good situational awareness, drive slowly, and use extra caution while on the Skalkaho Highway.
 
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR After the recent wet and cool weather, a warming and drying trend will return to the area today and last through the weekend. Fire behavior on the Hog Trough Fire will be minimal today with some movement to the south and east.

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.