Updated July 29, 2023 at 5:41 p.m.
ARLEE - The Big Knife Fire east of Arlee has grown from 631 acres to 721 acres as of Saturday morning.
The blaze is continuing to burn in heavy forest fuels and in steep rough terrain.
The CSKT Division of Fire reports aviation resources dropped retardant on the adjacent ridge to the south of Blodgett Creek on Thursday.
This is a contingent line if the fire should cross Blodgett Creek and move upslope to the south.
The fire is burning in thick standing and dead timber that has not seen fire in several decades in a remote area where firefighters are not able to access, according to fire managers.
Saturday's priority is in the Urban interface where the homes meet the forest.
A Local Type 3 organization is managing the lightning-sparked fire which remains 0% contained.
The Canal Road from Mountain Home Road to the Jocko Canyon remains closed.
An evacuation warning has been issued to nearby residents and a Red Cross Shelter has been formed at the Arlee Community Center.
