Management team for East Fork Fire in Bear Paws says no need for more burn outs

9:49 a.m.

The incident management team on the East Fork Fire in the Bear Paw Mountains updated its incident web page, saying, that, at the moment, no operational needs for conducting additional burn outs on the perimeter, nor the interior of the fire, exist. The fire is 40% contained at this time, and good progress towards full containment is being made, the page said.

7:30 a.m.

The incident team at the East Fork Fire in the Bear Paw Mountains has announced a public meeting about the fire in Havre at Havre High School at 4 p.m. Meetings in Blaine County and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation will be announced soon, the incident web page said.

The fire remains at about 21,500 acres and is 40 percent contained, the page said. Beaver Creek Road is open from 5th Avenue through to Taylor Road, and to Rocky Boys Agency.

The page said the fire is showing minimal behavior and unburned fuel is smoldering in the interior of the fire.

The strategy at this point is to improve and hold the fire lines during the passage of an expected cold front, the page said.

Beaver Creek Park is closed to recreation, and Hill County Sheriff's Department is asking the public to stay out of the area for firefighter safety - the side roads within the park are still closed to the public.

Sucker Creek Road is closed between Beaver Creek and Clear Creek.

The East Fork Incident Information System web page can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5582 .