Lolo fire makes move toward power line

LOLO — Fire managers at the Lolo Creek Complex of fires near the town of Lolo focused on the northern edge of the fire that’s heading toward a Bonneville Power Administration power line.

Fire spokesman Thomas Kempton says contingency plans are being made should the 16-square-mile fire reach the 500-kilovolt line that’s about a mile and a half from the fire.

He says about 800 personnel and seven helicopters are assigned to the lightning-caused blaze that destroyed five homes last week.

He says firefighters have had problems with wasp stings. It’s unclear how many firefighters have been stung, but about six who had allergic reactions have received medical attention.

Kempton says U.S. Highway 12 is open with a reduced speed limit to keep firefighters in the area safe.

Currently, there are a total of six fires in Montana. In addition to the Lolo fire, crews are battling blazes near Eureka, in the Bitterroot, and in the Gallatin, Lewis & Clark and Custer national forests.

RAIN HELPS: At Cody, Wyo., rain and cooler weather have slowed the growth of a wildfire that has scorched more than 38 square miles in northwest Wyoming

The Hardluck Fire has been burning in rugged, inaccessible terrain in the Shoshone National Forest about 50 miles southwest of Cody since July 17 when it was started by lightning. 

During the past four days, about 0.70 inches of rain has fallen over the fire.

Rain and cooler weather also has helped crews battling several smaller wildfires burning in mostly remote areas of Yellowstone National Park.