Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

PONY- Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest crews are continuing to strengthen containment lines on the north, east, and south flanks of the 4,800 Pony fire by putting out hotspots and mopping up.

Weather and fuel conditions have improved and crews have resumed burnout operations on the fire's southwest flank and along the South Boulder River road.

On Tuesday, containment lines were given a serious test as the red flag weather materialized shortly before noon and burnout operations came to a halt.

Even with gusty winds up to 30 mph, firefighters were able to hold all containment lines. Officials tell us that the smoke seen Wednesday in the area was due to controlled burnout efforts.