MISSOULA – Crews are continuing to deal with obstacles as they attack the Beeskove fire burning north of Missoula.
The lightning-sparked blaze sits at over 200 acres and is 0% contained as it burns in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. Fire managers say the blaze is expected to continue to grow to the east and south with uphill runs.
Lolo National Forest spokeswoman Leigh Golden notes that the terrain has been a struggle and that they are hesitant to send crews the fire burning on steep slopes and rugged area.
“It’s just really steep and rocky – so it’s dangerous for our Hotshot crews to be in there. We don’t want to have rolling debris from someone hiking uphill and loosening up and hitting someone below,” Golden explained.
No structures are threatened at this time.
Portions of the Rattlesnake Creek Trail #515 and #515.7, the East Fork Rattlesnake Trail #514, Sheep Mountain Trail #513 and the Mineral Peak Trail #511 — including the Rattlesnake Horse Trailhead — remain closed to the public.
