Fire Departments from Lima, Grasshopper, and Dillon were called out Wednesday afternoon to Grant. Initial reports were for a building on fire behind the hotel. Reports quickly escalated to a house on fire. The fire looked as though it had started in the back section of the property and quickly spread to the house. First responders are still on scene. We will have more information as it becomes available. (Update) Fire had spread throughout the house and it was a complete loss.

(Press Release From UMW) The University of Montana Western and Helena College are pleased to announce the hiring of Tricia Fiscus as the Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance for UMW and the Assistant Dean of Administrative Affairs for Helena College. Fiscus has more than 25 years of leadership and strategic planning experience, with a focus on fiscal management. “We are excited to welcome Tricia to the University of Montana Western as she begins her new role here and at Helena College,” said UMW Chancellor Michael Reid. “Her extensive experience in higher education and budget management will be a great asset to both institutions.” “The partnership between Helena College and the University of Montana Western has been so valuable to both of our campuses,” said Helena College Dean/CEO Dr. Sandra Bauman. “We are thrilled to be welcoming Tricia to our campus community and appreciate the wealth of knowledge she brings from her experience working in both two- and four- year education.” Originally from St. Maries, Idaho, Fiscus earned an Associate of Arts in Business Management, graduating with honors, at Lewis-Clark State College. She later completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Lewis-Clark State College in 2011 and completed the educational requirements for a CPA certification the same year. She went on to complete a Master’s of Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership degree at the University of Idaho in December 2014, and is expecting to complete a Ph.D. in Education in May 2021. Before beginning this new role at Montana Western and Helena College, Fiscus worked at Washington State University for 21 years, then at Klamath Community College (KCC) where she went on to become the Vice President of Administrative Services and CFO for KCC for two and a half years. “Throughout my academic and professional career, I have gained experience in a wide variety of areas of expertise, which I believe provides me with a unique set of knowledge, skills, and abilities ideally suited for working at both Montana Western and Helena College,” Fiscus said. “As I was growing up, my family and I would often visit Montana and the beautiful surroundings of this state makes this a dream come true for me. After meeting the faculty and staff at both UMW and Helena College, I felt truly welcome. In this new position, I hope to contribute to each institution by supporting the visions and missions of both campuses, while engaging with and giving back to the Dillon and Helena communities.” Fiscus enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and friends, including her three daughters, husband, cows, horses, and dogs. Fiscus will begin her new position at Montana Western and Helena College on October 25, 2021.

Two community open houses are scheduled this week: • Tuesday, September 28, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the Gibbonsville Community Center, Gibbonsville, Idaho. • Thursday, September 30, from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Wise River Community Center, Wise River, Montana. Incident personnel will be on hand to brief community members and answer questions regarding the Trail Creek, Alder Creek, and Sand Lake fires. Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, we encourage everyone to adhere to current CDC guidelines regarding use of masks, social distancing, and handwashing. Over the past few days, fire managers took advantage of lower fuel moistures and favorable winds to conduct strategic firing operations with the goal of reducing fuels and increasing containment. Implementing these direct firefighting strategies will help secure and strengthen direct and indirect line previously put in. While there is cooler weather and some moisture beginning Tuesday, it is not predicted to be a season-ending event. TRAIL CREEK FIRE [Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 57,052 acres | 75% contained]: Firefighters completed tactical firing operations around structures at Morgan Jones Lake and the Hirschy ranch equipment cabin and will mop-up and patrol the area. Crews will continue to prepare line to tie into Big Hole Pass. Strategic firing operations on the western edge have been successful and crews will finish on Monday and begin mop-up. Helicopters continue to support operations with water drops and monitoring. Stump holes and logs continue to burn out in the interior, creating some smoke, but overall, not much heat remains in much of the fire area. Crews will winterize water equipment around Gibbonsville residences to prepare for the incoming weather. ALDER CREEK FIRE [Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 39,474 acres | 45% contained]: With warmer temperatures and higher winds, fire activity increased yesterday on the northwest side of the fire. However, due to favorable southwest winds, the spot fire reported Saturday pushed parallel to the fireline towards Tucker Creek where firefighters were able to tie it back into itself. Ground operations were supported by helicopters doing water drops. Fire behavior was quiet along the southeast edge of the fire and crews continued suppression repair activities. Engine and hand crews will monitor and patrol fireline southwest from Bryant Creek Road to Sawlog Creek and continue structure protection where needed. SAND LAKE FIRE [Start Date: September 1, 2021 | Cause: Unknown | 228 acres]: Fire growth and activity on the Sand Lake Fire has been minimal and will be monitored by air. WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Elevated fire weather is expected through tonight as warm, dry, and breezy conditions continue. Temperatures will be in the low-70s with relative humidity values in the teens. Tomorrow, an incoming cold front may bring some light precipitation and much cooler temperatures. SAFETY: Gibbonsville, Idaho, remains in “Ready” evacuation status. U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are OPEN to through traffic. Please be careful of fire crews working in these areas and watch for trees, rocks, and animals. CLOSURES: • Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. • The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. • May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed. • Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest ( www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices ), the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ( www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices ), and the Bureau of Land Management. FIRE RESTRICTIONS : Public lands in southwest Montana and central Idaho are in varying stages of fire restrictions. Check www.mtfireinfo.org and www.idahofireinfo.com for the latest information.

CITY OF DILLON TREE BOARD Wednesday, October 5, 2021 In person meeting at DNRC @ 7:00 PM I. Call to Order II. Visitors III. Approval of September 8, 2021 meeting minutes IV. Treasurers Report & Budget V. Great Harvest Bake Day Report VI. MUCFA Grant Project Review – Video VII. Swenson Way Work Planning for 2022 VIII. PD Grant Completion 2021 and Planning for 2022 IX. MUCFA Tree Removal Grant Update X. Other Business XI. Next meeting date XII. Adjournment

Last night the Dillon Beavers Football faced off against the Frenchtown Broncs. Dillon came out and scored the first 13 points of the game, but after halftime the Broncs took the lead, 14-13. A few costly mistakes would allow the Broncs to take a 14-13 lead. The beavers responded with a drive. Kale Konen rand for a 42-yard TD, giving him his second one of the night. Followed by a failed conversion this gave the beavers a 19-14 lead. Dillon was able to force a punt from Frenchtown, but fumbled the snap on the next play. Frenchtown took full advantage and was able to score from it. Dillon came back to answer with an 85 yard drive with a score by Christiansen. Frenchtown came close to scoring but turned the ball over on downs, with 30 seconds left the beavers took the kneel to finish the game 27 to 21.

A new Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Rick Connell took over management of the fires at 6:00 a.m. Saturday. As containment increases and additional firefighting strategies are implemented, smoke will remain visible as interior pockets of fuel continue to burn. Fire managers are using a combination of direct and indirect firefighting tactics, keeping firefighter and public safety a top priority. TRAIL CREEK FIRE: Size 56,743 Acres 75% Containment On the southern perimeter, fire behavior remains moderate with isolated pockets of heat in the Morgan Jones Lake area. The fire is creeping and smoldering in Nez Perce Creek and crews are securing and patrolling the area around the Hirschy Ranch equipment cabin. Helicopters will be used to monitor this area and conduct water drops if necessary. Engine crews are patrolling the Gibbonsville Road and Foothills Road on the eastern side, and across the northern perimeter. On the western edge, the fire continues to creep and smolder in the May Creek area. Firefighters are preparing to do a burnout here over the next few days to reduce fuels and tie existing fireline into already blackened areas. There may be smoke impacts to Gibbonsville and the Highway 93 corridor. Structure protection remains in place in the Gibbonsville area, including water tanks, pumps, and sprinklers. In areas with completed containment line, some repair and rehabilitation work has begun. ALDER CREEK FIRE: Size 35,412 Acres 45% Containment A crew of Hot Shots took advantage of ideal weather conditions Friday afternoon to do a burnout near Calvert Loop Road, with substantial smoke visible. Firefighters will improve line and mop-up in this area Saturday as heavy fuels burn down. Engine crews will patrol fireline on the western/northwestern edge of the fire, while repair and rehabilitation work has begun on the eastern side. Equipment operators will continue to process and deck logs from fuel breaks, as well as remove hazard trees and clean up downed trees and brush. Additionally, crews are removing hose lays and pumps no longer in use, to send back to the National Cache for use on other fires. SAND LAKE FIRE: Size 228 Acres 0% Containment Fire growth and activity on the Sand Lake Fire has been minimal and will be monitored by air. WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Fire activity will be moderate today. Temperatures will rise into the upper 60-70s, with southwest, terrain-driven winds. Relative humidity will be in the teens to low-20s. Predicted winds through the weekend are advantageous to areas of concern on all three fires as it could push fire back into what has already burned. A warming and drying trend will continue into the start of the week. CLOSURES: • Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. • The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. • May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed. Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest ( www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices ) the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ( www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices ), and the Bureau of Land Management.

“What is therapy” is the theme of area behavioral health therapists as they present a “roadmap” for the public in how to access local mental health services, what to expect during a therapy session, how to choose a therapist, confidentiality, and why someone may reach out to a therapist for counseling. The presentation is free of charge at the Parkview School Cafeteria at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 29th . If you’ve never done therapy before, the concept can seem a little daunting. Are you just sitting in a room with a stranger, telling them your darkest secrets? Well, yes. A stranger who knows to ask specific questions, look for specific patterns of behavior, and teach you more productive ways to manage your life. “It’s like having a deep conversation with a close friend where you only talk about yourself,” said Melainya Ryan, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Vibrant Lives . Ryan is part of the evening’s community panel which also includes: Dayna Thergeson, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with the Community Health Center; and private practitioners Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Tasha Felton (Felton Counseling); and Ke’Lah Savage, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Peak Mental Health). All four panelists provide either primary care and/or behavioral health services in Beaverhead County. The presentation is sponsored by the Beaverhead County Mental Health Local Advisory Council. It is part of their month-long theme in September : “Hope is Alive – Depression is Treatable.” If you need more information, please contact Katherine Buckley-Patton by email at: gaelicgrannie@gmail.com and/or by cell at 406.660.1637

TRAIL CREEK FIRE: Size 56,798 Acres 50% Containment Fire behavior was moderate yesterday, mostly backing and flanking surface fire within the Nez Perce creek, May creek, and the upper Cabinet Creek Drainage areas. Firefighters continue to look for more opportunities to go direct and improve containment lines. Engine crews are patrolling the north side containment lines and mop up any hot spots. Crews have begun line repair and rehabilitation in areas of the fire that are contained. Structure protection remains in place, monitoring fire behavior and evaluating structures. ALDER CREEK FIRE: Size 35,524 Acres 45% Containment The fire continues to back and flack toward control features in the Sawlog creek and Calvert creek areas. Firefighters remain in the area throughout the day, monitoring and evaluating structures and mopping up any hot spots. Line repair and rehabilitation work continues the eastern edge of the fire, with crews and equipment removing hazard trees and cleaning up downed trees and brush. SAND LAKE FIRE: Size 228 Acres 0% Containment Fire growth and activity on the Sand Lake fire continues to be minimal. The fire will be monitored by air resources. Remember The public can expect to see smoke coming from the interior pockets of the fire line until the area receives considerable precipitation or moisture. Firefighters attack the fire directly where it is safe to do so and engage indirectly in areas where it is too steep or dangerous. WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Clear skies, light winds, and warmer conditions are expected today. As winds increase over the next day, elevated fire weather concerns may develop. SAFETY: U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are OPEN to through traffic. Watch for trees, rocks, and critters on the roadways. Travel with caution and remember school has started in the local communities, and hunting season is ongoing. CLOSURES: Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed. Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forests, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management. View the updated closure orders on the respective agency websites and the fires' Inciweb pages.

It's the last weekend in September and we have officially entered fall. Summer has come and gone and now it's my favorite time of the year. The weather is cooling off and we have everything happening this weekend in one convenient spot. Friday 09/24/2021 Dan Henry at Ruby Valley Brew Dan Henry returns to Sheridan, Montana for an evening of live music at the amazing Ruby Valley Brew Sept 24th from 6-8pm. Good beer, great people, and some rocking music will be on tap. LIVE MUSIC w/ Katie Hall Katie Hall was born and raised in the heart of the Ruby Valley in Sheridan, Montana. She draws her inspiration for music by combining the older 80's and 90's country with some newer 2000's sounds. You'll find her playing songs from Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, and Stephanie Quayle Twin Bridges vs Joliet Football Twin Bridges vs Joliet Football Twin Bridges Falcons vs Joliet J Hawks Falcons vs J Hawks Live Online : www.sportslite8.oyageuy.com/hs-football.php Game Details: Twin Bridges High School The Twin Bridges (MT) varsity football team has a home conference game vs. Joliet (MT) on Friday, September 24 @ 7p. Joliet High School Montana Twin Bridges High School Montana Joliet J Hawks Football Twin Bridges Falcons Football ? Rebroadcast/Replay Available Half After The Game Started, And You Can Watch It Any Time, The Link Will Work When The Game Will Start! Please share this match, Thank you Dillon Beavers VS Frenchtown Homecoming football game at Vigilante Field starts at 7 PM UMW Lady Bulldogs Volleyball VS Carroll College Home game at Straugh Gym starts at 7 PM Beaverhead Maze & Pumpkin Patch open Thursday thru Sunday noon to 8 PM. Saturday 09/25/2021 Pumpkin Make & Take Fall is coming!! Event by Liz’s Funny Farm Designs with Chalk Couture Create beautiful fall pumpkin décor with me. Fall JH/HS Rodeo Join us for our annual MSHRA Fall rodeo. The rodeo will start at 10:00 am on Saturday and 9:00 am on Sunday. Events will start with Pole Bending, then Steer Wrestling and Chute Dogging, Bareback, Breakaway Roping, Saddle Bronc, Tie-Down, Bull Riding, Ribbon Roping and Team Roping, and then ending with Goats and Barrel Racing. Contact Marvin Burch for Stalls at 620-617-4602 or Kristina Abbey at 406-925-9793 Hardwood Heart at the Golden Bar(Dillon MT) Missoula string band comes back to the Golden Bar in Dillon MT Saturday September 25! FREE show! Twin Bridges Farmers Market If you Grow It, Make It, Bake It, or Sell It-- why not Market It! SATURDAYS, 9am - 1pm May thru September at Main St. Park (weather permitting) Last One For The Season Beaverhead Maze & Pumpkin Patch open Thursday thru Sunday noon to 8 PM. Corn Hole Tournament at The Den $10/person sign up at 4:30 PM starts at 5 PM Lots of fun events still going on, as always if you have an event feel free to email us at southwesternmtnews@gmail.com. Have a safe and fun weekend Southwestern Montana.

DILLON PUBLIC LIBRARY Agenda - Library Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Wednesday, September 28, 2021 - 5:00 PM @ City Hall 1. Call to Order – Roll call of Board members 2. Disposition of minutes from regular board meeting August 25, 2021. 3. Financial reports/matters Warrants Accounts 4. Committee Reports 5. Director’s Report 6. Communications 7. Unfinished business  Library Fund 8. New business Oct Closure/ Events Policies/Agreements Covid/Newspapers/Magazines Telehealth Murder Mystery 9. Public discussion *Public comment on items of significant public interest not on the agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Dillon Public Library Board of Trustees. 10. Set date of next meeting: Tuesday October 26, 2021 5pm 11. Adjournment

BEAVERHEAD AMBULANCE SERVICES SPECIAL DISTRICT AGENDA September 24, 2021 10:00 a.m. Beaverhead County Commissioners Room Beaverhead County Courthouse A. Call to Order B. Review and approve minutes of July 8, 2021 meeting. C. Announcements D. Old Business a. Review and discuss draft By-laws. b. Discuss requesting tax exempt entities to assist paying fees c. Report on ambulance progress on employee and manager job description's and hiring E. New Business F. Public Comment – Public comment on items of significant public interest, not on the Agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Beaverhead Ambulance Services Special District Board.

Northern Rockies Team 4 will start to arrive over the next few days. They will shadow Team 6 on Friday before assuming command of the fires at 6 AM on Saturday, September 25, 2021. TRAIL CREEK FIRE: Size 56,743 Acres 50% Containment Yesterday, fire behavior was moderate with backing and flanking surface fire within the Nez Perce creek, May creek, and the upper Cabinet Creek Drainage areas. Over the next few days, firefighters will continue to look for more opportunities to go direct and improve containment lines. Engine crews will patrol the north side containment lines and mop up any hot spots. In the contained areas of the fire, crews are working on line repair and rehabilitation. Structure protection remains in place, monitoring fire behavior and evaluating structures. ALDER CREEK FIRE: Size 35,412 Acres 45% Containment Crews are using natural control features to prepare and construct indirect line on the north side of the fire. The fire was backing and flacking toward control features in the Sawlog creek and Calvert creek areas. Firefighters will stay in the area throughout the day, monitoring and evaluating structures and mopping up any hot spots. On the eastern edge of the fire, crews are shifting their focus to line repair and rehabilitation. Firefighters and heavy equipment are removing hazard trees and cleaning up downed trees and brush. Additionally, crews are removing hose lays and pumps that are no longer being used and are sending them back to the National Cache for cleaning and made available for other fires. SAND LAKE FIRE: Size 228 Acres 0% Containment Fire growth and activity on the Sand Lake fire continues to be minimal. The fire will be monitored by air resources. Remember The public can expect to see smoke coming from the interior pockets of the fire line until the area receives considerable precipitation or moisture. Firefighters attack the fire directly where it is safe to do so and engage indirectly in areas where it is too steep or dangerous. WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Cooler temperatures are expected today, with continued dry and breezy west to northwest winds contributing to moderate fire behavior. The high-pressure system will bring another cold night tonight but expect a warming and drying trend through the end of the week. SAFETY: U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are OPEN to through traffic. Watch for trees, rocks, and critters on the roadways. Travel with caution and remember school has started in the local communities, and hunting season is ongoing. CLOSURES: Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed. Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forests, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management. View the updated closure orders on the respective agency websites and the fires' Inciweb pages.

TRAIL CREEK FIRE: Size 56,743 Acres 50% Containment Over the next few days, firefighters will continue to look for more opportunities to go direct and improve containment lines. The northwest corner of the fire is also being prepared for a potential backburn this weekend. Once lit, the backburn will slowly back into the main, securing that section of line. Engine crews will patrol the north side containment lines and mop up any hot spots. Structure protection remains in place, monitoring fire behavior and evaluating structures. ALDER CREEK FIRE: Size 35,412 Acres 45% Containment The Alder Creek fire continues to be active in the Sawlog creek and Calvert Hill areas. Crews are using natural control features to prepare and construct indirect line on the north side of the fire. Firefighters will stay in the area throughout the day, monitoring and evaluating structures and mopping up any hot spots. In areas where fire activity has slowed, crews start to shift their focus to line repair and rehabilitation on the eastern edge of the fire. Crews are working with heavy equipment to remove hazard trees and clean up down trees and brush. In addition, crews will start removing hose lays and pumps that are no longer being used and start sending them back to the National Cache for cleaning and made available for other fires. SAND LAKE FIRE: Size 228 Acres 0% Containment Growth and fire activity on the Sand Lake fire has been minimal. The fire is in a remote area and will continue to be monitored by air resources. Remember The public can expect to see smoke coming from the interior pockets of the fire line until the area receives considerable precipitation or moisture. Firefighters attack the fire directly where it is safe to do so and engage indirectly in areas where it is too steep or dangerous. WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: The dry cold front will move into the fire area today, bringing gusty winds, warmer temperatures, and low relative humidity. Fire activity could increase throughout the week with the passing dry cold front. SAFETY : U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are OPEN to through traffic. Watch for trees, rocks, and critters on the roadways. Travel with caution and remember school has started in the local communities and hunting season is ongoing. CLOSURES : Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed. Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forests, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management. View the updated closure orders on the respective agency websites and the fires' Inciweb pages.

Barrett Hospital announced today on their Facebook page that they are nearing crisis care standards. The post can be read below. Today, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare announced that Barrett Hospital & HealthCare is imminent to implementing crisis standards of care, which means hospital treatment and resources for patients may be rationed, as COVID-19 continues to surge in Montana. Crisis Care Standards occur when it is no longer possible to deliver the normal standard of care to all persons in need. This occurs when health care resources are overwhelmed by a disaster or emergency. The goal of crisis standards of care is to extend care to as many patients as possible and save as many lives as possible. When crisis standards of care are in effect, people who need medical care may get care that is different from what they expect. For example, patients admitted to the hospital may find that hospital beds are not available, or that needed equipment is not available. They may have to wait for a bed to open or be moved to another hospital in or out-of-state that has the resources they need. “Providers and health care facilities across Montana are currently experiencing limitations in their ability to provide the standard of care that we all wish to provide to our communities and normally expect to provide,” said Dr. Greg Moore, Chief Medical Officer. “This situation may persist for some time and is everchanging day-by-day, which has required Barrett Hospital & HealthCare to consider implementing crisis care standards to ensure the most equitable allocation of limited resources for patient care.” While the current increase in patient numbers is moving Barrett Hospital & HealthCare closer to having to implement crisis care standards, Barrett Hospital & HealthCare is diligently working to avoid having to do so. For more information on "Crisis Care Standards" click here :

TRAIL CREEK FIRE: Size 55,860 Acres 50% Containment More precipitation and cooler weather aided fire crews today. Crews found opportunities to go direct and improve existing containment lines. Today, firefighters continue to improve the indirect line connecting the south and western edges of the fire. Weather depending, crews will use backburns to clean up unburned fuel between the fire and containment lines. Firefighters expect the fire to be most active on the Nez Perce creek and Anderson creek areas of the fire. Engine crews will patrol the north side containment lines and mop up any hot spots. Structure protection remains in place, monitoring fire behavior and evaluating structures. ALDER CREEK FIRE: Size 34,639 Acres 45% Containment Higher elevation areas of the fire received snow yesterday, further assisting crews in containment progress. Crews continued to improve indirect lines and mop up hot spots. Crews are using natural control features to prepare and construct indirect line. Fire activity will continue to be active in Saw Log creek and Calvert Hill areas. Weather depending, crews will look for opportunities to use backburns to secure containment lines and further reduce fire spread. Structure protection remains in place near Alder Creek. Crews will remain in the area throughout the day, monitoring and evaluating structures and mopping up any hot spots. SAND LAKE FIRE: Size 228 Acres 0% Containment With the cold and wet weather, growth and fire activity on the Sand Lake fire has been minimal. The fire is in a remote area and will continue to be monitored by air resources. Remember The public can expect to see smoke coming from the interior pockets of the fire line until the area receives considerable precipitation or moisture. Firefighters attack the fire directly where it is safe to do so and engage indirectly in areas where it is too steep or dangerous. The fireteam continues to develop the suppression repair plan. WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Tuesday will be slightly warmer and drier than the past few days. A dry cold front is expected to move through the area Wednesday, bringing warmer temperatures and gusty winds. Fire activity could increase throughout the week with the passing dry cold front. SAFETY: U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway is OPEN to through traffic. Watch for trees and rocks on the roadways. With the change of weather, the roads may be wet with rain or snow in higher elevations. Remember, school has started in the local communities and hunting season is ongoing. Please continue to use caution when driving through the area, as crews will still be in the area. CLOSURES: Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed. Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forests, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management. View the updated closure orders on the respective agency websites and the fires' Inciweb pages. The Trail Creek, Alder Creek, and Sand Lake Fire Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Gibbonsville Community Center, Gibbonsville, Idaho, and Wise River Community Center, Wise River, Montana. The Incident Commander, Operations, Fire Behavior Analyst, and Public Information Officer will be on hand to brief community members and answer questions regarding the Trail Creek, Alder Creek, and Sand Lake Fire. Community members are encouraged to attend. Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, we are asking everyone to wear a mask while attending the public meeting.

To the Dillon and surrounding communities, Please join us for a free Closing Reception, Presentation & Demonstration this Friday, Sep. 24, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Emerick Art Studio by UMW graduate, Ben Kenealey, who received his BA in Glass this spring. Ben will talk about his neon exhibition in the Emerick Studio window gallery and his internship at the Idaho National Laboratory, followed by a live demo in scientific glassblowing! Schedule : 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Final Viewing & Closing Reception 5:30 p.m. – Presentation by Ben Kenealey on his exhibition and internship at the Idaho National Laboratory 6:30 p.m. – Demonstration in scientific glassblowing For more information about Ben and his work, tinyurl.com/UMWneonevent For questions about the event or the Glass Program at Montana Western, please contact UMW Associate Professor of Glass, Ruth King ( ruth.king@umwestern.edu or 406-683-7344).