Skillet Fire Near Olney Reaches 1,318 Acres With No Containment

Overview

• Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7 took command at 6:00 a.m. Sunday after shadowing the local Type 3 team to coordinate a larger, multi-day response.
• The blaze, which began July 29 in the Tally Ranger District about 15 miles west of Olney, is reported at 1,318 acres and remains 0% contained.
• A Red Flag Warning forecast for gusts up to 50 mph, shifting winds and low humidity has raised the risk of rapid, wind-driven spread and spot fires from embers and falling snags.
• Flathead County has moved from evacuation warnings to an evacuation order for the Good Creek/Alder Creek area and the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests have issued wide area closures and a Temporary Flight Restriction.
• Crews are working on anchor points and structure protection with limited access because heavy downed timber from a 2025 blowdown is producing extreme fire behavior and increasing safety risks, and residents should monitor local evacuation alerts and air quality updates.