HELENA, Mont. — The Sharrott Creek and Remington fires remain the two most heavily crewed fires in the state, although both have been relatively constant in size since Tuesday of this week. Despite the warm, dry conditions, meteorologists are not expecting storms or winds that could spark new fires or fan existing ones this weekend.

The Remington Fire was first reported on Thursday, Aug. 22, in Sheridan County, Wyoming. By Friday, the fire had grown to 300 square miles, much of it in Montana’s Powder River, Big Horn and Rosebud counties. It remains the state’s largest wildfire this season. A Complex Incident Management Team assumed command of firefighting operations on Monday. According to an update from Brandon Glenn, a section chief on the management team, firefighters are continuing to dig fire lines along the northwestern edge of the fire, south of Birney, and along the eastern edge of the fire near the Rosebud and Powder River counties border.

In western Montana, the Sharrott Creek Fire is burning more than 1,300 acres west of Stevensville. The Sharrott Creek Fire was first reported on Friday, August 23, and was rapidly expanding the next day. The fire has not grown substantially since a Complex Incident Management Team assumed command of firefighting operations on Tuesday.

While several fires were still burning in western Montana earlier this week, the more active fires have since slowed their growth.

The Big Hollow Fire, which is burning nearly 3,500 acres in Beaverhead County along the Idaho border, is now 90% contained. The Ratio Mountain Fire is burning 15 miles northwest of Whitehall. While not contained, the fire has not grown in size since Tuesday. Additionally, the McElwain Fire was first reported 20 miles west of Helmville on Friday, August 23, and is considered 25% contained.

Zeke Lloyd

Zeke Lloyd, a native of Ohio, spent four years in Colorado before moving to Helena, Montana. Now acclimated to the altitude, he reports on everything from wildfires to water rights. Outside the office, you’ll find him in a quiet, cozy spot, lost in a good book. More from Zeke Lloyd