Small Fire in Bitterroot National Forest

The Chrandal Creek fire, approximately 2 miles northwest of Irishmans Rock, in the Hughes Creek drainage is estimated to be 60 acres in size. The fire was lightning caused and was detected on Friday. Acting Bitterroot National Forest spokesperson Betsy Ballard says the fire behavior has been very active Saturday with trees torching and multiple fire spots outside the main fire perimeter. The fire is burning in subalpine fire and beetle killed lodgepole pine. Air support is being provided by 2 helicopters dropping buckets of water on the fire.

Fire crews are providing lookouts for the fire, and assessing control opportunities. Escape routes and safety zones are non-existent in the current location of the fire, so it is not safe to put crews close to the fire at this time. The weather is expected to be hot and dry with a chance of thunderstorms for most of next week.

Acting Bitterroot National Forest spokesperson Betsy Ballard