Officials keep eye on Snow Creek Fire

Officials are keeping a close eye on a wildfire that is burning in the South Fork drainage of the Flathead River in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

The 30-acre Snow Creek Fire began the night of Friday, Aug. 2, as a result of lightning. The fire is burning in light and heavy timber and snags in the middle to upper slope on the south facing side of the ridge that separates the Snow and Hungry Creek drainages, about 1.5 miles up drainage from the South Fork of the Flathead River. It is about 19 miles northeast of Condon.

Protection plans are in process as the fire spreads toward the Black Bear Administrative Cabin and Pack Bridge, located 1.5 miles northeast of the current fire location.

A six-person crew has been established at the cabin to monitor the fire behavior and implement structure protection plans if it is needed.

Current fire behavior is classified as creeping and there has been short range spotting toward the east and moderate tree torching has been observed.

No closures are currently in effect.

Another wildfire in the Flathead began the evening of Thursday, Aug. 1, but it 80 percent contained, according to fire officials.

The 10-acre Lower Stillwater Fire began about 6 p.m. It is located west of the Stillwater River near the lake and east of Martin Creek Road.

Department of Natural Resources and Conservation firefighters were in mop-up mode.