Bitterroot National Forest

1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7100 NEWS RELEASE

__________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tod McKay Public Affairs Officer (406) 363-7122 (406) 531-1130 - CELL tgmckay@fs.fed.us September 16, 2011

FOREST OPENS AREAS PREVIOUSLY CLOSED BY FIRES Hamilton, MT. The Bitterroot National Forest announced this afternoon that it is opening two areas on the Darby Ranger District previously closed to the public because of the 41 Complex Fires. One emergency closure was lifted this afternoon by Forest Supervisor Julie King. These closures were in place to protect both the public and our firefighters. We told the public that as soon as it was reasonably safe for them to return to these areas, we would lift the closures, said Forest Supervisor King. However, I want people to know that just because one area closure has been lifted, doesnt mean that fire activity wont pick back up again. Last nights rain and cooler temperatures have helped slow these fires some, but they are not out yet. Anyone entering the Fox Peak Fire area should be vigilant and could encounter smoke, open flames, rolling rocks and debris and snags. The closure order associated with the Fox Peak Fire has been rescinded which re-opens areas in the Sapphire Mountains south of Signal Rock, approximately 25 miles northeast of Darby including trails # 313, and 503. The Forest is also re-opening approximately 2.5 miles of the Skalkaho Rye Road #75, previously closed by the Coyote Meadows Fire. Other areas re-opened around the Coyote Meadows Fire includes Two Bear Meadows, Gods Little Acre Meadows and several areas east of trail # 87. Trail 87 remains closed. To see the new Coyote Meadows closure area map visit www.inciweb.org/incident/2544 All of the closures associated with the Up Top and 41 Fires remain in place including Skalkaho Pass Highway (State Highway 38) from mile post 14 to mile post 30 and the Butterfly Road #364 at the Darby/Stevensville District boundary. For more closure information and to see a map of current fire closures, visit www.inciweb.org/incident/2544 or contact the Fire Information Center at (406) 375-8123 or (406) 375-8125. Greg Poncins Northern Rockies Incident Management Team is managing the fires. ###