Lolo National Forest

07/19/2026

🔥 Activity Update – July 18 @ 10:45 PM:

Siegel Pass Fire, located 10 miles northeast of Superior within the Ninemile Ranger District. Following a direct assessment of the perimeter by responding resources, the estimated size of the fire has been revised to 0.55 acres.

The fire is burning in steep, heavy timber in an area that is considered highly difficult to access. Despite these challenges, the incident was successfully engaged by initial attack resources. Continuous water drops were delivered onto the fire by water scoopers and helicopters. Rappellers were inserted into the fire area, and operations will be assisted through the night by engine crews.

Suppression efforts will continue in the morning. The total number of firefighters will be boosted by the arrival of an additional fire crew and further aerial resources.

No closures or overnight evacuations are recommended at this time. However, the public is reminded that the area should be avoided so that a safe environment is maintained for all operating personnel.

This will be the final update for the night unless significant activity occurs.

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NEW WILDFIRE
🔥Siegel Pass Wildfire – July 18🔥

A new wildfire has been reported within the Ninemile Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest. The Seigel Pass Fire is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Superior, near Ninemile Siegel Road and is currently estimated at 5 acres.

Firefighters have started initial attack, with both ground and aerial resources active on the scene. Due to the terrain, smokejumpers and rappelers have been mobilized. In addition to the ground crews currently engaged, responders have requested the assistance of helicopters, water-scooping aircraft, and an air attack platform to coordinate operations from above.

There are no evacuation orders or road closures currently in effect for the surrounding area. However, fire officials are strongly reminding the public to avoid the Siegel Pass area.

Community cooperation is vital to ensure that both ground crews and low-flying aircraft have the space they need to operate safely and effectively.

More updates will follow as information becomes available.

Frenchtown Rural Fire District

07/19/2026

🔥Wildfire Activity Update – July 18, 7:30 PM🔥

🔥Crater Lake Fire Update

Crater Lake Fire, located 8.5 miles southwest of Tarkio and 1 mile east of Crater Lake. Following extended overnight operations by the Kootenai Rappelers, firefighters successfully established complete sawlines and handlines around the fire's perimeter. Mop-up operations concluded this afternoon, and personnel have demobilized to remain available for new regional incidents.

As of 1:00 p.m. today, July 18, the Crater Lake Fire was a lightning-caused fire that was kept to less than one acre in size and has since been called out.

🔥Siamese Fire Update

Siamese Fire, located 13 miles southwest of Tarkio and 2 miles east of Siamese Lake. Formed by a lightning strike, the 0.2-acre fire has been burning in timber at a high elevation. Kootenai Rappelers stayed overnight to suppress the fire and continued their efforts into this morning. The crew was able to extend sawline and handlines to stop the fire's forward progress this evening. Firefighters are currently conducting mop-up operations to achieve full containment.

07/18/2026

07/17/2026

🔥 Activity Update – July 17 @ 6:30 PM:

Both the Crater Lake Fire and Siamese Fire have been successfully held to under one acre each, thanks to helicopter bucket drops and ground efforts by the Kootenai Rappel Crew.

Firefighters will remain on-site overnight to monitor the area and work toward full containment.

There are no evacuations or infrastructure threatened.

This will be the final update for the evening.
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🔥 NEW WILDFIRE STARTS – Ninemile Ranger District 🔥

July 17

Firefighters from the Lolo National Forest are responding to two new wildfires in the Ninemile Ranger District. Both fires were spotted during an aerial detection flight this morning.

🔥 Crater Lake Fire: Located 8.5 miles southwest of Tarkio and 1 mile east of Crater Lake.

🔥 Siamese Fire: Located 13 miles southwest of Tarkio and 2 miles east of Siamese Lake.

The lightning caused fires are approximately .1 acres each. Due to the remote location and difficult access, a helicopter performing bucket work and the Kootenai Rappel Crew are being sent to suppress the fires.

More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Frenchtown Rural Fire District

07/17/2026

Oregon Creek Road ( #7865) at the Parent Gulch Crossing will be closed to all vehicle travel from July 15 - September 1, 2026 from milepost 5.13 to the end of the road, unless work is completed sooner. The closure will allow for the replacement of an undersized culvert with a bridge. The Lost Lake Trail will not be accessible by this route until the closure is lifted. Contact the Superior Ranger District for questions at (406) 822-4233.

07/17/2026

Following overnight lightning activity, fire managers received multiple smoke reports this morning. An aerial detection flight is currently flying portions of the Lolo National Forest this morning to continue efforts to locate any smoldering, lightning-strike fires from last night’s storm.

With lightning forecasted to continue into this evening, resources will maintain an increased state of readiness. Residents and visitors are urged to remain vigilant. If you see smoke or a new fire start, please call 911 immediately to report it.

07/15/2026

Lee Creek Road (NFSR #699) will remain open until later in September due to a contractor delay. The full closure from milepost 0.24 just past the Lee Creek Campground to milepost 3.61 at the gate will now begin later than originally planned.

This project, in partnership with the Clark Fork Coalition, improves road conditions and supports long-term watershed health.

07/15/2026

Important Notice: Graves Creek Road Closure
Beginning July 15, 2026, the Lolo National Forest will implement a closure of a 7 mile segment of Graves Creek Road to allow for road reconditioning and culvert installation. Graves Vermillion Road #367, from milepost 2.78 to milepost 9.95, will remain closed until the anticipated completion date of September 1, 2026. We respectfully request the public’s cooperation in observing this closure to ensure the safety of all visitors and crews. Thank you for your understanding and support.

For additional information, please contact the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District at 406 826 3821 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/r01/lolo/alerts.

07/14/2026

Closure Alert- West Fork Fish Creek Trail #101
The West Fork Fish Creek Trail will be temporarily closed at mile marker 3.1 at the site of the Upper West Fork Fish Creek Trail bridge beginning July 15, 2026, to allow for bridge replacement.

Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act will support the replacement of the 44‑year‑old bridge, which has deteriorated due to failing native log stringers and abutments. The new bridge will use more durable materials to reduce future maintenance needs and improve clearance during high water events.

Please comply with the closure and help ensure public safety. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as this important work is completed.

For additional information, please contact the Ninemile Ranger District at 406-626-5201 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/r01/lolo/alerts.

07/14/2026

Fuels management project work will begin in the Maclay Flat area of Blue Mountain Recreation Area this week. From July 15 to August 31, Lolo National Forest crews will be hand thinning approximately 60 acres of younger, overstocked stands to improve forest health and promote fire-tolerant ponderosa pine along the Maclay Flat Nature Trail.

No closures are expected to impact recreationists. Please follow posted signage and give workers plenty of space to safely operate.