Cascade Fire Nears Red Lodge Ski Resort

By Courtney Lowery, 7-31-08

Wind has helped the Cascade Fire, burning near Red Lodge, grow to 9,411 acres, an increase of about 3,000 acres from yesterday, said Marge McCarty, a fire information officer.

The fire, now 5 percent contained, has advanced on its northeast side and come to within a half to a quarter mile of Red Lodge Ski Resort, which along with about 90 homes in the Grizzly Peaks area, have been evacuated. But the West Fork drainage of Rock Creek, where the fire was first reported July 26, has not seen much advancement, McCarty said.

About 600 people are working on the fire.  Helicopters continue to drop water today after dropping 15,000 gallons on the fire yesterday.  Dozers and hand crews are making fire line.  Structure protection is taking place near the ski resort and residential areas.

The Billings Gazette is regularly updating their coverage and have more details on the fire here.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.