SAM Magazine-Red Lodge, Mont., Aug. 2, 2008-Crews are making progress on the Cascade Wildfire, which has been threatening Red Lodge Ski Area. Currently the fire has burned 9,701 acres and is 31 percent contained. It appears that Red Lodge Ski Area will escape serious damage from the wildfire, but the situation on the ground remains fluid.

Fire crews and air resources have secured fire lines on the east side of the burn. Successful burnout of control lines in the Basin Creek drainage occurred last night. One note of concern is a cold front which is expected to move through the fire area and impact suppression efforts. Winds should max out at 25 to 30 mph around 11 p.m, with gusts reaching 30 mph on ridgetops. There is also potential for dry thunderstorms and potential for increase in fire behavior.

According to the USFS, approximately 700 people are battling the blaze, including 19 hand crews (20 people each), 21 engines, 4 water tenders, a combination of 6 dozers, feller bunchers, skidgins and 7 helicopters.

A red flag warning has been issued for tomorrow for winds and low humidity associated with a cold front on the Cascade Fire. Possible widely scattered thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening.

SAM Magazine will continue to update this story as details become available.

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