Update 4 p.m. Authorities have ordered closures surrounding the Goose Fire near Ennis.
The closure area is highlighted in red:
Here's the Forest Service's description of the area:
"As depicted on Exhibit A, the area closed by this Order is as follows: starting at the junction of West Fork Madison Rd 209 and Jackpine Gulch Rd 1209 in the Northeast corner of Section 4 (T12S R1E), thence in a line due east to the Section 3, Section 2 boundary; then due south to the SW corner of Section 23 and NW Corner of Section 26; then due east along the section line to the center of Cliff Lake in Section 25; then southeast to the SE Corner of Section 25 and the NE corner of Section 36; then due south to the SE corner of Section 12 and NE corner of Section 13; then due west to the NW corner of Section 13; then due south to the SW corner of section 13; then due west to the SW corner of Section 17, then north along the section line to the NW corner of Section 17, then west to the SW corner of Section 7, then due north to the NW corner of Section 30 (T12S R1E); then due east along the section line to the center of Section 19; then north along the Private Inholding; then following the south side of the West fork Madison River back to the Starting point."
The order runs through Aug. 21 unless rescinded.
(first report) Estimates of the Goose Fire 32 miles southeast of Ennis have risen to 691 acres as the federal Northern Rockies Team 5 took command Saturday morning.
The Goose Fire started on July 1. Initial attack forces responded to suppress the fire, initially located in a 250-acre rock slide area, inaccessible to crews.
On the afternoon of July 9, the fire moved easterly, south of Cliff Lake and north of Hidden Lake and up onto the Hidden Lake Bench. Several air tankers dropped retardant to slow further progression eastward, aiding the crews on the ground. The fire burned into sagebrush and grass fuels, where it lost radiant heat and died down.
These lighter fuels are more favorable for suppression tactics. The fire remained active in the timber stringer along the chain of lakes on the east side. Local resources were on-scene throughout the night. A more accurate overnight aerial mapping of the area estimated the fire to be 691 acres.
Firefighters will continue work to create fuel breaks along adjacent roads (Jackpine Road on the north and west flanks), in preparation for potential burnout operations. Crews will work to minimize fire progression in heavier fuels and limit northeast progression towards the private structures approximately 5-6 miles away.
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