Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional kickoff of the summer season. The 1.6-million-acre Bitterroot National Forest offers unmatched recreational opportunities including nearly 250 campsites in 26 campgrounds.
The lighting-caused Bowles Creek fire, burning 3 miles west of Skalkaho Pass, grew more than 400 acres on Tuesday as hot, dry conditions intensified fire conditions across western Montana.
The fire had burned 3,980 acres in steep terrain on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests as of Monday morning. The blaze is 5% contained.