HAMILTON - The Hog Trough Fire burning in the Bitterroot National Forest has grown slightly to 833 acres while containment has increased to 71%.
The blaze — which is 18 miles southeast of Hamilton — was discovered on July 17 and is burning in rugged and remote terrain.
No structures are currently threatened.
Fire managers report the fire flared up late Sunday afternoon which caused a smoke column that was visible from the Bitterroot Valley floor.
The increased fire activity was primarily located on the southwest corner of the fire, though increased fire behavior also occurred to the southeast.
Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Skalkaho Highway to near the Skalkaho Creek Trailhead. Forest Service 5071 Road is closed.
There are 157 people assigned to the Hog Trough Fire.
Road Closures:
- Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road.
- Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).
- Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.
Trail Closures:
- Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.
- Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.
- A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.
- Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503
Stage II fire restrictions went into effect Friday morning on all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana.
