HAMILTON- The Bitterroot National Forest is reopening an area on Wednesday in the Darby Ranger District that's been closed due to the 41 Complex Fires.

The closure has been in place since September 7th when the fires, pushed by hot and dry conditions and strong winds more than doubled in size and burned across Skalkaho Highway.

"I would like to thank the public for their patience over the last month," said Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King. "We know these closures and the smoke here in the valley were a major inconvenience to many, especially hunters, and we appreciate everyone working with us and respecting the closures.

King added that even though the area reopened at 1 p.m. Wednesday, anyone traveling in the area should, "be extremely careful when returning to these areas as there are still many hazards out there."

The Montana Transportation Department is also planning to reopened Skalkaho Pass on Wednesday afternoon. The road has been closed since September 5th between mile post 14 and mile post 26 due to the 41 Complex fires.

Tod McKay with the Bitterroot National Forest says that the public will also soon be able to use Butterfly Road #364 at the Darby/Stevensville District Boundary and Gird Creek Road #714 will re-open at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.

The 41 Complex fires are still burning in the Sapphire Mountains outside of Hamilton and have scorched over 15,100 acres since being sparked by lightning on August 28th.