MISSOULA — Update 7-31-26, 11:20 a.m.
The Skillet Fire grew to 945 acres overnight, according to the Flathead National Forest.
Friday morning, evacuation warnings are still in effect for Good Creek, Old Good Creek, Gregg Creek, and Alder Creek Roads. If you're in the area, you should prepare to evacuate if conditions worsen or an evacuation order is issued.
Forest officials said the fire is spreading west from the Flathead National Forest over Martin Divide and into the Kootenai National Forest.
The fire is burning heavy, dense timber as crews continue to attack from the ground and sky.
"Firefighting aircraft delivered buckets of water and retardant to the fire throughout yesterday. A hand crew is working to secure roads in the Good Creek area to use as control lines, aided by heavy equipment," the Flathead National Forest wrote in a social media post.
The weekend forecast will create challenges for firefighters. On Saturday, there is a Fire Weather Watch due to strong, shifting winds. Fire crews are preparing for rapid growth.
Roads and trails in the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests remain closed Friday.
The area closure includes:
1. Good Creek Road (60)
2. Alder Creek Road (60C)
3. Martin Creek Road (910)
4. Plume Creek Road (2890)
5. West Plume Road (2883)
6. Keith Mountain Road (2875)
7. Miller Creek Road (9650)
8. West Advent Creek Road (3710)
9. Alder Slope Road (3512)
10. Twin Meadows Road (3520)
11. Martin Divide Road (3708)
Update 7-30-26, 4:35 p.m.
Evacuation warnings have been issued due to the Skillet Fire.
According to the Flathead Office of Emergency Management, evacuation warnings have been issued for Good Creek, Old Good Creek, Gregg Creek, and Alder Creek Roads.
You should prepare to evacuate if conditions worsen or an evacuation order is issued.
Addresses under the Evacuation Warning are as follows:
2500 - 5100 Good Creek Road
All addresses on Alder Creek Road
All addresses on Gregg Creek Road
All addresses on Old Good Creek Road
You can find the latest evacuation information here.
Original article:
The Skillet Fire burning in the Flathead National Forest is threatening homes and structures.
According to the Forest Service, the fire is burning 800 acres in the Tally Lake Ranger District about three miles northwest of the Good Creek Community.
Multiple trails and roads are closed due to the wildfire.
According to the Forest Service, the closures include:
1. Good Creek Road (60)
2. Alder Creek Road (60C)
3. Martin Creek Road (910)
4. Plume Creek Road (2890)
5. West Plume Road (2883)
6. Keith Mountain Road (2875)
7. Miller Creek Road (9650)
8. West Advent Creek Road (3710)
9. Alder Slope Road (3512)
10. Twin Meadows Road (3520)
11. Martin Divide Road (3708)
According to officials, the fire is aggressively burning heavy dead and down trees and thick timber and is growing to the east. The fire was very active overnight with about 650 acres of growth to the south.
Aerial crews will help support ground resources.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
