Fire Watch

Millie Fire near Bozeman now at 10,000 acres

Posted: Aug 29, 2012 9:38 PM by Dennis Carlson - MTN News

The Millie Fire, burning south of Bozeman, grew by 8,000 acres today to a total of 10,000 acres. The fire sent a huge plume of smoke over the Hyalite Canyon area, while making a run to the north northeast.

This is a shot taken from Big Sky provided by our Jamie Leary, looking at the south flank of the Millie fire, burning in the Storm Castle and Rat Lake area.

Helicopters dipping from Rat Lake worked the west flank of the fire today along with slurry bombers.

The national Forest Service has closed both the South Cottonwood Drainage Trail and the Blackmore Trail out of the Hyalite Drainage as a precaution.

Forest Service officials say we can expect more heavy smoke in the Bozeman area tomorrow.

They also say for drivers to be aware of heavy fire equipment traffic on Highway 191 in the Gallatin Canyon.