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Bear Creek Fire in Montana quiets a bit; forecasters expect rain, thunderstorms

by Montana Standard (Butte, Mont.) staff reports |

The Bear Creek Fire in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest on the Montana-Idaho border was quiet Tuesday with most of the activity on the southeast corner.

The lightning-caused wildfire was detected Aug. 11 and has burned 7,543 acres (mapped by infrared flight) and is 10 percent contained.

The fixed-wing “scooper” airplanes were reassigned mid-day Tuesday to assist with new fires in other areas of the country.

Wednesday’s forecast of afternoon rain and thunderstorms in the fire area could dampen fire activity; however, with thunderstorms and shifting winds from the west/northwest could reach gusts as high as 30 mph.