Bitterroot National Forest

1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7100

NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tod McKay
Public Affairs Officer
(406) 363-7122
(406) 531-1130 - CELL
tgmckay@fs.fed.us
October 3, 2010

FIRE GROWS TO 100 ACRES CLOSES TRAIL

Hamilton, MT, – The Hubert Fire burning in the Darby Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest has
grown to 100 acres and officials are closing the Camas Lake Trail (#125) to the public due to active wildfire
conditions in the area. The fire was discovered earlier this week just east of Upper Camas Lake and south of
Ward Mountain. It has grown since Tuesday from .25 acres to 100 acres and is burning in timber and extremely
steep and rocky terrain, making access difficult. Officials believe the fire was caused by a lightning strike
several weeks ago and became more active this week with our warmer than normal temperatures and low
humidity.

The following closure is in place for public safety:

 Forest Trail #125 (Camas Creek) in its entirety. Forest Road 496 will remain open to traffic headed
toward Lost Horse Observation Point.
 Travel north of Forest Road 496 by foot is closed into the Kidney Lake Area. (see attached map)

There are no structures or property threatened by the fire and at this time it is being managed as a resource
benefit fire. These naturally occurring fires ignited by lightning help the Forest and ecosystems by recycling
nutrients, regenerating plants, and reducing high concentrations of fuels, reducing future fire intensity and size.

At around 11:00 a.m. this morning, another fire was discovered burning on the east side of the Darby Ranger
District approximately 2 miles north of Railroad Creek, just above Forest Road 711-A, off Skalkaho Highway.
Fire crews and two engines are currently in route. The cause of the fire is not known. Smoke from the fire is
visible from Hamilton and other spots across the valley. For the latest fire information including maps and
photos visit www.inciweb.org or follow us at www.twitter.com/BitterrootNF.

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