MISSOULA — Fire managers report progress is being made fighting the lightning-sparked Beeskove Fire that's burning north of Missoula.
Containment on the 429 acre blaze has now grown to 20% as the fire burns in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area.
Firefighters took advantage of favorable weather in the morning and early afternoon on Sunday before being pulled from the fire line due to severe weather.
Firefighters also documented the defensibility of 176 homes and other structures in the Grant Creek area. So far, 412 structures have been assessed throughout the urban interface area.
Fire managers say heavy equipment will continue to progress to the northeast improving fuel breaks in the Gold Creek area while clearing work will also continue along the powerline corridor.
Structure assessments will continue to be conducted in Grant Creek to complement the “Wildfire Adapted Missoula” work that has been happening amongst cooperating fire agencies.
The following areas are closed due to Beeskove Fire suppression operations:
- Woody Mountain – Johnson Gulch area is closed to recreational use.
- Sheep Mountain Trailhead is closed, along with access to the trailhead via East Twin Creek Road FS 2117 and Upper Twin Creek Road FS 2119.
- Mineral Peak Lookout is closed as well as access to the lookout via the East Fork Rattlesnake Road FS 2112 and Mineral Peak Lookout Road 2120.
- Upper Twin Creek/Sheep Mountain Spur Trail #505 is closed.
- T13N, R17W - all The Nature Conservancy lands.
- T14N, R17W – all The Nature Conservancy lands that lie west of the Gold Creek Road #126, north to the junction with West Fork Gold Creek Road #2103, then southwest of the West Fork Gold Creek Road #2103.
- T15N, R17W – all The Nature Conservancy lands that lie southwest of the West Fork Gold Creek Roads #2103 and #4323.
