Fire Watch

Condon Mountain Fire burns 5,200+ acres

Posted: Oct 1, 2012 10:27 AM by MTN News

CONDON - The Condon Mountain fire has now torched 5,260 acres and is 45 percent contained as it continues to burn in the Swan Valley.

Fire officials report that a dozen structures are still considered to be threatened and all residents east of Montana Highway 83 in the Condon area are under a "Ready" Stage 1 Alert for the potential of a future evacuation.

The blaze is burning in heavy timber with numerous, standing snags in steep, hazardous terrain with a high potential for rollout and spotting, according to fire officials.

The fire is located just west of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and is visible from Montana Highway 83. There are structures in the Swan Valley between McKay Creek and Cooney Creek within 1.5 miles of the current fire perimeter.

Fire officials say there wasn't much fire activity on Sunday, which allowed crews to hold and improve on the hand line constructed mid-slope along the fire's edge between Smith Creek and Cooney Creek. Helicopters were again used to drop water on the south end of the fire north of Cooney Creek.

There are now 160 people assigned to the blaze.

An Area Closure remains in effect around the fire for public safety, which includes closure of Trail #29, Trail #192 and the Cooney Lookout. A flight restriction is in effect surrounding the fire area and the Condon Airstrip is closed to all non-fire aircraft.