MISSOULA – A fire burning in the Rattlesnake area north of Missoula has grown by 80 acres. Strong winds up to 30 mph and a dry cold front increased fire activity Saturday night.
More resources arrived on Saturday and the fire is under a full suppression strategy. Lolo National Forest says most of the growth moved southeast, away from Missoula.
Crews were pulled off and aviation resources were grounded for several hours on Saturday due to the wind.
Lolo National Forest spokesman Tod McKay says crews have been working hard, and almost 400,000 gallons of water were dumped over the past two days.
An area closure is in place at the Rattlesnake Creek Trail #515 and #515.7, the East Fork Rattlesnake Trail #514, portions of Sheep Mountain Trail #513 and the Mineral Peak Trail #511. The Rattlesnake Horse Trailhead is also closed for the staging of fire vehicles.
-Reported by Katie Miller/MTN News
