WEEKEND UPDATE Saddle Creek fire 30 percent contained
Puffs of smoke continued to drift from the Saddle Mountain fire west of Arlee this weekend. The road was closed by CSKT officials after the blaze began last Wednesday.
The Saddle Mountain Fire located three miles west of Arlee is now estimated at 471 acres after Saturday's 18 MPH winds caused a six acre spot fire next to the main fire perimeter. Helicopters dropping water quickly contained the spot as fire personnel lined the slop over, a Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes press release said.
Currently, six 20-person crews remain as three crews were demobilized including the Chief Mountain "hot shots", and one crew each from the Crow and Blackfeet reservation. Two helicopters, two single engine air tankers, two bull-dozers, two-skid genes, five water tenders, and numerous
fire engines from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai are dispatched to Saddle Mountain.
The fire is now partially lined as containment is estimated at 30 percent. Crews continued to construct fire line and will begin mop up operations within 100 feet of the fire perimeter. Helicopters continue to drop water on numerous "hot spots" located within the fire perimeter.