Twin Sisters Fire is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Judith Gap. As of Wednesday, July 29th, the fire is estimated to span 101 acres and is currently 40% contained. It is burning in heavy timber and is situated in an area with difficult ground access. Crews will continue to build and strengthen containment lines, prioritizing public and firefighter safety.
The Moose Fire started on July 26th and is located 24 miles southwest of Philipsburg, MT. It was initially reported at 10 acres but has grown to 125 acres with 0% containment. The fire behavior includes running, torching, and spotting.
The Elder 1 Fire was detected on July 24th in the Ninemile Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest, roughly 7 miles southwest of Frenchtown in the Rock Creek area. This fire is burning through heavy timber and experiencing active fire activity due to afternoon winds. The cause of this fire is lightning, and it currently spans 661 acres, primarily in heavy timber, brush, and grass. The fire exhibits active behavior with uphill runs, flanking, and spotting, particularly on exposed slopes heading towards ridgetops to the north and west.
The Upper Smith Fire is located in the Smith Creek drainage, approximately 6 miles west of Porthill, Idaho, and about 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Ignited by lightning on July 7th, this fire has grown to 1,648 acres, with 15% containment. It is burning on a steep, north-facing slope with significant concentrations of dead and down fuels and deep duff layers. Old timber harvests along Smith Creek include aspen and western larch. On the west flank, an avalanche chute with an alder infestation may hinder fire growth. Fuel moisture in large dead and down fuels is currently at 12-14%.
The Claremont Fire was reported on July 6th and is situated approximately one mile northeast of Boise in the Boise foothills, burning in the 8th Street Fire (1996) scar. The fuels consist of a mixture of short grass, brush, and ponderosa pine regeneration. This fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy to protect lives, homes, critical infrastructure, recreation areas, and natural resources in the Boise foothills and surrounding communities. A portion of the fire area contains unexploded military ordnance (UXO). The fire currently spans 6,606 acres and is 90% contained.
Please stay tuned to The Great Falls Gazette as we will continue to update throughout the season.
By Karen Anderson: July 29, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
