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Although small in size, the Boulder 2700 Fire burning along the southeastern rim of Flathead Lake is currently categorized as the number one priority fire burning in the Northern Rockies geographic area.
Just 1,200 acres in size, the Boulder 2700 Fire has already destroyed at least two dozen structures along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake and threatens another 250 along the U.S. Highway 35 corridor. The downdraft winds are what got them, Fire Information Officer C. T. Camel told the Lake County Leader on Sunday. Then it started spotting downhill and across the highway.
The fire is burning in steep terrain with heavy, downed fuels.
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Montana fire officials estimate approximately 38 residences have been lost to fires this year, and roughly 600 people are displaced from their homes due to evacuation orders on nine fires.
That’s according to a readout from a wildfire briefing Gov. Greg Gianforte received Tuesday.
That readout says nearly a half million acres in Montana have burned. A little more than half of that total happened over the last week from new fire starts and growth from existing fires.
Of the 24 large fires in Montana, the state’s top priority is the 1,400-acre Boulder 2700 Fire, which is 0% contained.
There are 84 soldiers from the Montana National Guard helping to fight fires in the state. By this weekend, the state is expecting to have 200 soldiers helping with aviation, security, hand crews and other fire support.
Boulder 2700 Fire burning more than 1,000 acres
east of Flathead Lake near Polson has burned 8 primary structures and 17 secondary structures as of this afternoon, according to incident officials. Evacuation orders issued July 31 for residents along Highway 35 from mile marker 6 to 13 on the east side of Flathead Lake, including all of Finley Point, remain in effect.
Evacuation orders issued July 31 for residents along Highway 35 from mile marker 6 to 13 on the east side of Flathead Lake, including all of Finley Point, remain in effect.
The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4 took command of the Boulder 2700 Fire from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire Monday morning. Public Information Officer Christine Kolinski says Crews are protecting structures within the fire area, beginning to establish containment lines on the north and south flanks of the fire and working to restore power to 300 homes in the Finley Point and evacuation area.