Elder fire reaches 44% containment in spite of weekend winds

The fire was first detected on July 24 following intense lightning storms in the area. 

Behaving moderately, the fire primarily backed and smoldered with single tree torching, according to Monday’s most recent press release from the Lolo National Forest. 

Monday’s primary weather concern is smoke from substantially larger fires out of state, causing lessened visibility and poorer air quality. 

Smoke may lower visibility to two to five miles Monday morning, gradually improving through the afternoon and with significant clearing expected Monday night into Tuesday, according to the release.

Though helicopters were not actively being used Monday morning, aircraft are the primary firefighting vehicle that is impacted by the lowered visibility. 

Crews are in a good position to maintain the line, forest officials said. Firefighters will continue to monitor and mop up during the warming and drying trend expected throughout this week. The lower relative humidity will keep the fire active and smoke visible during the heat of the day, according to the release. 

Though the fire has burned within a large transmission line corridor, it has remained entirely within the national forest and currently is not threatening structures. Forest officials don’t anticipate seeing any growth outside of established containment lines. 

The fire is 44% contained, meaning that 44% of the line around a wildfire can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.

“While it might seem to take several days before there’s containment on any given fire, that number often increases quickly as strategies come together to build both line and confidence,” the release read. 

An area and road closure around the fire is in effect starting Friday. Updates and changes to closures are expected to be posted online at inciweb.wildfire.gov and fs.usda.gov/r01/lolo/alerts.

The most recent closure order issued July 28 includes upper portions of Albert Creek Road, Corral Creek Road and other forest roads and trails within a roughly 50-square-mile area south of Huson.

Additionally, a temporary flight restriction has been implemented over the fire area, with forest personnel specifically referencing the dangers of using drones in the area. 

Forest officials stated they haven’t had any drone incidents thus far with the Elder fire, but that a stray drone in the airspace could put firefighters and aircraft at risk. 

“Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination,” the release reads. “Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly ... we can’t.”