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NEAR CORVALLIS - Around 110 firefighters from Montana, Idaho and Utah are working to contain a growing wildfire which is burning outside of Hamilton.

The Dominic Point fire, discovered on Sunday, is located 12 miles northeast of Hamilton and two miles west of Willow Mountain Lookout. GPS mapping performed on Monday night has put the fire at 897 acres burned, up from just 30 acres when the blaze broke out late Sunday.

Fire officials report that the blaze is burning in extremely steep terrain with very limited access making it hard on fire crews. It is burning in heavy timber; sub-alpine fir, and logepole pine.

Information Officer Tod McKay says that Monday afternoon's fire behavior was "active, torching, and spotting."

He added that crews made good progress in establishing an initial fire line from the Willow Mountain Road up towards Dominic Butte. Firefighters are also building fire line off Forest Road #1348 on the northeast side of the fire with the intent to drive the fire to the northeast toward the Gold 1 fire that burned in 2003.

Six engines, four helicopters performing water drops, a single engine air tanker and a retardant plane have been aiding the fire fight. The Bitterroot Dispatch Center at the Hamilton Airport reports that approximately 35,000 gallons of retardant was dropped on the Dominic Point Fire on Monday alone.

Four Type I "hotshot" crews just arrived from Idaho, Utah, and Montana to help battle the fire and suppression efforts are being aided by the support of local rural fire departments, including five engines and two water tenders.

Officials stress that the only road in and out of the area, Willow Mountain Road, remains closed to the public due to very active fire conditions.

The cause of the Dominic Point fire is unknown, but it very likely could be a hold over lightening fire started by a recent thunderstorm.

Bitterroot National Forest officials add that two other lightning caused fires are also burning in the Sula Ranger District. One fire started Monday morning, but was quickly contained after burning just 1/10 of an acre. A second blaze has eight firefighters working in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area. That fire has grown to ½ an acre.

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Our thanks to Stephen Murphy, Donna Lesley, Phyllis Ruana, Dorothy Holmberg, Rob Smith, Cindi Taylor, Joseph Vai, Bob Necker, Bruce Roberts, Craig Myers, Jason Sorlien and Barb Garten for providing pictures of the fire.

The Dominic Point Fire burning outside of Hamilton has grown to approximately 500-1000 acres according to fire officials.

The Dominic Point fire was discovered Sunday at around approximately 3:00 p.m. and is located 12 miles northeast of Hamilton and two miles west of Willow Mountain Lookout.

The fire, on the Stevensville Ranger District, burned actively overnight in steep timber with some flames nearing 200 feet in length, which could be seen across the valley according to the Bitterroot National Forest's Tod McKay.

The only road in and out of the area, Willow Mountain Road, remains closed at the junction of Willow Mountain Road and Butterfly Road due to active fire conditions and significant fire activity.

There are currently over 100 firefighters and six engines battling the blaze along with four helicopters, which will be performing water drops and supporting ground crews. Personnel includes all available resources from the Bitterroot National Forest and three Type I "hotshot" crews which just arrived Monday morning from Idaho and Montana.

Another 20 person "hotshot" team from Utah is scheduled to arrive this afternoon.

Besides digging fire lines along Willow Mountain Road and providing structure protection at the Willow Mountain Lookout, crews will also be working to keep the fire moving northeast and away from the town of Corvallis.

The blaze is currently burning in steep, rugged terrain located inside the Stoney Mountain roadless area, which is making access to the blaze extremely difficult due to the limited roads in and out of the area.

The Willow Mountain Lookout, which for a time yesterday was threatened by the blaze but was saved, will continue to receive structure protection today. The four private citizens who were recreating in the area yesterday and along with several Forest Service personnel were safely evacuated by helicopter, were escorted back into the area today to remove their vehicles from Burnt Fork Lake.

Fire officials remain concerned about the weather forecast which calls for high temperatures above 90 with a threat of thunderstorms and potentially more lightning.

The cause of the Dominic Point fire is unknown at this time, but it very likely could be a hold over lightning fire started by a recent thunderstorm.

CORVALLIS - Some 80 firefighters will begin helping crews battling a wildfire near Hamilton that continues to burn.

The Bitterroot National Forest Service reports that nearly 100 acres have been consumed in the Dominic Point area.

The fire is located 12 miles northeast of Hamilton, just two miles west of Willow Mountain Lookout.

There are 20 firefighters and four engines are battling it, along with four helicopters which are performing water drops. An additional four retardant planes are also assisting in the efforts.

Bitterroot National Forest officials say all of their available crews are fighting the blaze right now.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but it may be a holdover fire which was sparked by last week's lightening storm.

(from July 25, 2010)

The wildfire burning outside of Hamilton has grown to approximately 75 to 100 acres as of late Sunday.

The Dominic Point fire was first reported at approximately 3:00 p.m. and is two miles west of Willow Mountain Lookout, outside of Corvallis.

The blaze which is in the Stevensville Ranger District, is burning in steep timber and has grown in size from its initial estimate of 35 acres according to the Bitterroot National Forest's Tod McKay.

There are no homes in the area and the only accessible road, Willow Mountain Road, has been closed at the junction of Willow Mountain and Butterfly due to active fire conditions and expected future fire behavior.

While the Gold Creek Campground remains open at this time, the Gold Creek Trail #321, is closed to traffic.

There are currently 20 firefighters and four engines battling the blaze along with four helicopters which are performing water drops and four retardant planes which are also assisting in supression the efforts.

All available crews from the Bitterroot National Forest are currently on the fire and will soon be assisted by 80 additional firefighters, including two Type I "hotshot" crews, which have been dispatched to the area and are scheduled to arrive early Monday according to McKay.

The fire threatened Willow Mountain Lookout and during the process of evacuating the Lookout, the fire crossed the one way road out to safety.

The Lookout and rescue crew drove on to Burnt Fork Lake and along with four private citizens who were recreating in the area, were safely evacuated by helicopter to the Hamilton airport.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but officials believe it could be a hold over lightening fire from last Thursday when nine other blazes were started by a thunderstorm.

(first report)

A new wildfire erupted outside of Hamilton on Sunday, spewing thick white smoke that can be seen as far away as Lolo.

Fire officials report that approximately 50-75 acres in the Dominic Point area and a retardant plane and several helicopters are being brought in the battle the blaze.

This fire is located 12 miles northeast of Hamilton; two miles west of Willow Mountain Lookout.

A Bitterroot National Forest official says that all available crews from the Bitterroot National Forest are making their way into what's described as an inaccessible fire.

The cause of this fire is not yet known.