Big Sky Times

The ongoing Colt Fire in Missoula County underscores the importance of proactive forest management, as highlighted by Gov. Greg Gianforte during his recent visit to the site, amid ongoing firefighting efforts.

"On the Colt Fire near Seeley Lake, firefighters have been successful at containing the fire where the forest was recently managed. It’s still burning hot where fuel loads are heavy. Active forest management works," the governor wrote on platform X, formally known as Twitter. 

The threat of the Colt Fire, instigated by a lightning strike, remains and continues to present significant challenges for the firefighters battling its flames.

According to KPAX News, Gianforte visited Seeley Lake Airport on Wednesday for a comprehensive update on the situation. The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team provided him with key insights into the size and current status of the fire, the concentrated areas under attack and the resources being employed to tackle this natural disaster.

Following the briefing, the governor took to the skies for a helicopter tour, giving him a bird's eye view of the devastation and the Herculean efforts to control the blaze.

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has been at the forefront of the firefighting efforts, deploying crews in a strategic manner to stave off the fire's spread and safeguard the local communities.

In a testament to their diligent efforts, some progress is evident. The Evacuation Order for zones described as Rovero Flats East and Rovero Flats West has now been lifted, downgraded to an Evacuation Warning, according to the official Colt Fire Facebook page. 

As residents make their way back to their homes, they can expect to see law enforcement officers switching out the Red Order cards with the Yellow Warning cards, signifying the changing status of the zones.

While the fight is far from over, the Colt Fire is considered 19% contained, but it has burned over 6,860 acres as of Thursday.