Trails reopening after fires

Due to the recent moisture and continued work by fire crews to clear standing dead trees near trails, many trail closures associated with the wilderness fires on the Spotted Ranger District have been lifted.

Open trails include the Stadler Creek Trail No. 271, which joins Hoadley Creek Trail No. 226 on the Lewis and Clark National Forest and provides access to the Benchmark Trailhead.

All trails on the Lewis and Clark National Forest's Rocky Mountain Ranger District associated with the Stadler and Upper Ayres fires and the recent South Fork of the Sun River Prescribed Fire are now open, including East Fork Ahorn Trail No. 225, South Fork of the Sun Trail No. 202 and Hoadley Creek Trail No. 226).

In the Hammer Creek Fire area, East Side Trail No. 80, Lime Creek Trail No. 193 and Sandstone Creek Trail No. 743 are open. Tillson/Shale Peak Trail No. 127 remains closed because of hazard trees.

In the Big Salmon Lake Fire area, the entire length of Big Salmon Creek Trail No. 110 is open. Garnet Peak Trail No. 111 and Brownie Point Trail No. 451 remain closed.

"Fire crews are working hard to make closed trails safe for public travel," Spotted Bear District Ranger Deb Mucklow said, "I anticipate the remaining closed trails will be ready for use within the next two weeks. We appreciate everyone's cooperation as we work to open the remaining wilderness trails."

Visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling in any burned area. Potential hazards include falling trees and snags, rolling rocks and logs on hillsides, and ash-covered holes and slumps in the ground. These hazards can exist for several months after a fire.

In other fire areas on the Flathead National Forest,

• The area closure in place for last weekend's Paint Emery Prescribed Burn on the Hungry Horse Ranger District has been lifted. 

• In the Puzzle Fire area near Marias Pass, Skyland Road No. 569 past the Morrison Creek Trailhead and Trail No. 154 remains closed to ATV use because of the high potential for falling dead trees. 

• Within the South Fork Lost Creek Fire area on the Swan Lake Ranger District, Road No. 680, between Road No. 5206 and Termini, and Trail No. 86 remain closed due to the potential for rolling debris on the above hillside. 

For current wilderness trail updates, visitors can contact the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 406-758-5376; the Hungry Horse Ranger District at 406-387-3800 (weekdays); the Lewis and Clark National Forest's Rocky Mountain Ranger District at 406-466-5341 (weekdays); or the Lewis and Clark's Augusta Information Station at 406-562-3247. Information is also available online at http://inciweb.org.