Roaring Lion Fire 25% Contained and New Fire in Bitterroot

No change in the size of the Roaring Lion Fire south of Hamilton Saturday night. It has burned 8,249 acres. A fast-moving thunderstorm had winds of over 30 miles an hour, but the rain also fell in the area and lowered "the intensity of the fire," according to the Saturday evening Incident Command report.

There was no change in the evacuation areas August 6.

However, the Saturday storm also brought numerous lightning strikes in Ravalli County, with a 3-acre fire starting near Lost Trail Pass. The fire is a half mile from the border between the Bitterroot National Forest and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Three helicopters and 50 firefighters were sent to the blaze Saturday evening.

The Montana Department of Fish Wildife and Parks has re-opened the 10 mile stretch of the Bitterroot River near the Roaring Lion Fire. That area between Wally Crawford Fishing Access Site and Anglers Roost had been closed for public safety, but the fire is not expected to reach the river. The reopening is effective immediately.

More thunderstorms are predicted for the remainder of the weekend, so crews are being cautious.

The fast-moving thunderstorm Saturday afternoon caused limbs to break and dust to blow around the valley. Some small tents at the Daly Mansion "Roundup at Riverside" blew down, but staff moved things around and the event went successfully.