Saddle Complex Fire – August 29

Crews made good progress on direct fire line at the Saddle Complex fire in the south end of the Bitterroot Valley. Total fire size as of Sunday evening in Idaho and Montana is about 24,700 acres.
The direct line has been established in the Woods Creek area. Weather conditions prevented a burn-out in that area, but the more secure fire lines was welcomed by the managing team.
One heavy helicopter and two medium helicopters have been supporting the ground operations as the crews try to keep the fire south of Hughes Creek.
A Smoke Monitoring Station has been set up near Painted Rocks Reservoir and is indicating air quality on-line. That site is satguard.com. Once there, select Real Time Data, and as the location- Montana.
Tuesday morning at 10am, the Northern Rockies Fire Management Team will be having an informal meeting with residents at the Painted Rocks Fire Station to discuss the fire status and plans.
Meanwhile, the Storms Complex of fires in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness has grown to about 600 acres and is being monitored. Smoke from that fire and others in the wilderness is collecting in the valley.