Wilderness fire activity slows down

While activity on several fires in and around the Bob Marshall Wilderness has slowed over the last couple of days, one fire has showed signs of life.

After being detected last Tuesday, the Bar Creek Fire grew to 70 acres and as of Thursday afternoon it was estimated at about 255 acres. The fire is burning in the southern part of the wilderness about 35 miles southeast of Condon.

The fire is now being managed as part of the Elbow Pass Fire Complex, which involved three fires merging on the eastern part of the wilderness earlier this week.

Elbow Pass has been estimated to have burned more than 7,500 acres.

Cabins in the Benchmark Road area have been evacuated as a precaution in the area of the Elbow Pass Complex.

Meanwhile, the Prisoner Lake Fire has been holding at about 3,200 acres on the Spotted Bear Ranger District about 25 miles east of Condon.

Firefighters have held the Condon Mountain Fire to about 15 acres. It is burning about four miles northeast of Condon outside the wilderness.