Rock Creek West of Lake Como Closed Due to Fire Activity

By Bitterroot National Forest Fire Information, Guest Writer, 8-30-07

Forest Service Trail #580 and the surrounding area within the Rock Creek drainage west of Lake Como are temporarily closed to public access. 

The Bell Lake Fire, which started on the Nez Perce National Forest, has burned over the divide onto the Bitterroot National Forest in the upper reaches of the Rock Creek drainage, and is currently 300 acres in size.  Fire weather warnings are in place for Thursday and Friday for strong and gusty winds that can cause quick fire growth in the area.

The closure was created for public safety and will be lifted as soon as the fire danger passes.

Closures related to fire activity continue to change in response to the changes in fire activity on the ground.  The Bitterroot National Forest will staff a fire information desk throughout the Labor Day weekend so that Forest recreationists can call for the latest information.  The phone number is (406) 363-7100; it will be answered between 9:30 and 4:30, and later into the evening if fire activity increases significantly.

“We realize the duration of this fire season is impacting many people,” said Nan Christianson, Fire Information Officer for the Forest.  “We appreciate everyone’s patience with the changing conditions on the Forest.  And – we certainly encourage people to get out and enjoy the Bitterroot NF over the holiday weekend.  The vast majority of our trails and campgrounds are open and the cooler weather is inviting for hiking, bow hunting and camping.  Thanks for your continued adherence to the Stage II fire restrictions and the special closures.”

Editor’s note: As part of our fire coverage, NewWest.Net is posting here the email updates and press releases we get directly from fire camps as we get them. These do not replace our ongoing full coverage of the fires at www.newwest.net/fire, but supplement the information you get throughout the day with the updates we get throughout the day. We aim to give you all the information we get and here it is in its “unfiltered” form. For full stories, check back often at www.newwest.net/fire and continue to look for these updates from fire camps in the link box on the right-hand side of the page.

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