UPDATE: Weasel and Redhorn Fires Growing; Elmo, Clover and Hog Trough Fires Settling Down

(EUREKA) --The Weasel Fire continues to grow in the northeast corner of Lincoln County. The lightning-caused fire has crossed onto the Flathead National Forest and into Canada over the weekend, expanding to more than 2500 acres as of this morning. Increased fire activity is expected to continue over the next 24 hours as the hotter temperatures continue. The fire continues to burn in heavy dense fuels in steep, rough and unpopulated terrain.The primary focus is on protection to infrastructure and recreation resources and the community.
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ELMO, Mont. (InciWeb) — The Elmo Fire managed only 4 acres of growth on Sunday, for a total of 21,349 acres. Additional containment line was completed east of Cromwell Creek and south of Lake Mary Ronan increasing containment to 61%.
Evacuation orders have been lifted for residents along Lake Mary Ronan Road (Hwy 352) west of Dayton Creek Road, however residents near the fire remain under pre-evacuation notice.
Extensive helicopter bucket work continues on the west side of the fire to aid firefighters as they secure the fireline up to 200 feet deep. Crews across the fire area are using heavy equipment and hand tools to remove hazards near the fireline.
Some firefighting resources and air assets were made available to support other fires in the area. Scoopers assisted with the Redhorn fire to the south, outside St. Ignatius.
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The Redhorn Fire grew to 483 acres over the weekend. It's located 7 air miles northeast of St. Ignatius.
Hand crews are continuing constructing a fuel break above the canal along the buffer zone. Helicopters, Super Scoopers, and S.E.A.T.s will be doing water drops throughout the day, along the perimeter of the fire, focused on slowing downhill movement of the fire.
There are no evacuations and closures associated with the fire at this time, although the area is closed to recreation due to grizzly bear habitat from July 15 to October 1 yearly.
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(DILLON) - The Clover Fire started by lightning on July 13 as a result of a lightning strike. This wildfire is located in the Middle fork of Warm Springs Creek on the Madison Ranger District of the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest. The fire is still estimated at 1099 acres, and is settling down, according to the latest reports.
The objective is to contain the fire in the Middle Fork Warm Springs Creek drainage, utilizing fuel type changes, natural breaks and burnout operations. Firefighters will patrol and monitor the fire's perimeter to ensure it stays within constructed containment lines.
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(HAMILTON) -- Hog Trough Fire grew to an estimated 824 acres over the weekend, and is located five miles east of Black Bear Campground and seven miles southwest of Skalkaho Falls. It is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. The terrain in which the fire is burning in is extremely rocky, steep and filled with heavy accumulations of down woody debris. Along the southeast edge of the fire, crews have nearly completed a fireline from the 5070 road and Medicine Lake. Aircraft continue to patrol and monitor the fire’s northern edge. To the west, heavy equipment, chippers, and hand crews are working along the 75 road to complete line towards the 711 road. Crews are finishing their work “plumbing” the 77 trail with hose lays and sprinklers to raise the humidity of the dense vegetation along the constructed lines.
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HELENA - The Matt Staff Road Fire, Jellison Fire, and Moors Mountain Fire are all now 100% contained.