Fire in Seeley-Swan grows to 2,927 acres

Evacuation orders are in place for some residences in the Seeley-Swan Valley due to a wildfire burning about 12 miles northwest of Seeley Lake.

The lightning-caused Colt Fire, first detected July 17, was estimated at 2,927 acres Monday morning. It is burning on the Lolo National Forest and was 0% contained. The fire size increased by 1,352 acres over two days.

The evacuation order affects residents along Montana 83 between mile marker 31 at Beaver Creek Road, south toward Seeley Lake to mile marker 27.

Evacuation warnings are issued for Beaver Creek Road, Montana 83 between mile marker 27 and 25.5, and for the Lake Inez area.

Brent Olson’s Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the fire Sunday morning.

It is considered a full-suppression fire, with more than 400 firefighters working to create fuel breaks and containment lines. Air resources are being used, as well, including helicopters and a CL415 water scooper.

Boaters on Seeley Lake and Lindbergh Lake were advised to stay clear of fire aircraft when they are scooping water from the lakes.

Hot temperatures, low humidity and strong winds created dangerous fire weather Sunday into Monday across Western Montana. Isolated dry thunderstorms were possible Monday evening which could trigger new fire starts and cause erratic, gusty winds, the National Weather Service warned. Winds are forecasted to be 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Humidity levels will drop below 30% in the fire area.

Cooler temperatures were expected by Tuesday, with highs in the 70s.

WEST OF Kalispell, a small fire drew a firefighter response in the Griffen Creek area Sunday evening. The fire was initially estimated at 4.5 acres. It is on the Flathead National Forest northwest of Ashley Lake off National Forest Road 538.

Fire danger on the Flathead National Forest was rated as high on Monday, and very high on the Kootenai Forest.