Big Knife Fire burns 75 acres near Arlee

UPDATE: 21:04 – July 24, 2023

The Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes Fire Division reports the Big Knife Fire, which is burning five miles east of Arlee, has grown to an estimated 75 acres.

Several helicopters and single-engine tanker planes, along with 10 paratrooper firefighters, are assigned to the blaze.

Canal Road is closed from Mountain Home to Jocko Canyon.

(second report 20:12 – July 24, 2023)

The Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes Fire Division reports the wildfire near Arlee is burning 50 acres.

Fire burns between Dancing Boy and Jocko Canyon.

The Big Knife Fire is burning five miles east of Arlee.

MTN News

(first report: 20:12 – July 24, 2023)

The National Weather Service in Missoula is reporting a new wildfire Monday night possibly caused by lightning.

The wildfire appeared 5.7 miles east-southeast of Arlee on the ridge south of Big Knife Creek.

The NWS reports that it is approximately 25 acres and growing rapidly.

Firefighters from the Confederate Tribes Salish and Kootenai Fire Division and Arlee Fire are on the scene.

On Monday, wildland fire officials with the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes Fire Division raised the fire danger inside the Flathead Indian Reservation to very high, effective immediately.