Growing Wildfire Approaching Montana Ski Resort

[UPDATE]: As the Ant Park Fire continues, the team at Showdown Mountain Ski Resort in Montana are showing up to help support the firefighters and crews. They handmade deli sandwiches and packed hundreds of brown-paper-bag meals for those working on the nearby fire. In addition, they are welcoming donations including healthy snacks, feminine hygiene products, sock, t-shirts, shaving products, as well as water and Gatorade.

Thanks to the hard work of now 213 active personnel fighting the fire, containment has grown to 27% while the damage has stayed at just 400 total acres burned. However, a Red Flag Warning is in place this weekend, with gusty winds and hot temperatures, bringing additional concerns and potential for spot fires and generally more active fire behavior. Crews will continue to strengthen and reinforce containment lines, while searching for and mopping up spot fires as they try to get ahead of any further growth.

Forest closures and road closures remain in effect around the area.

A wildfire near Showdown Mountain Ski Resort in the Little Belt Mountains of Montana is growing, with zero containment as of Tuesday morning.

The Ant Park fire was last reported at 700 acres on InciWeb, but only 387 acres on WatchDuty, according to regional captain Evan Jacobs, based on updated perimeter mapping. The wildfire started on Friday afternoon, and while the cause is still under investigation, 61 active personnel are on scene fighting the fire. In addition to ground crews, two T1 Helicopters and one T3 Helicopter are bringing further assistance from the air.

Forest closures and road closures in the surrounding areas remain in effect as personnel access the fire. At the time, no structures have been damaged or are at immediate risk.

• Related: Mt. Hood Meadows, OR, Forced to Evacuate as Grasshopper Fire Burns 3-Miles Away

Showdown Mountain Ski Resort is located just about seven miles northwest of where the fire is currently burning. After very active fire behavior over the past weekend, there was some moderate growth on the northern and northeastern flanks of the fire. However, lower temperatures paired with higher overnight relative humidity have helped crews limit the spread of fire and strengthen containment lines in recent days. As the week goes on, temperatures and winds are forecast to increase once again, causing a potential for more critical fire weather going into the weekend.

This season marks another year of wildfires ravaging much of the western United States. From multiple fires exceeding a monstrous 250,000 acres each in Oregon, to the Cottonwood and Babylon fires in Utah, the damage that these wildfires cause is absolutely devastating. And now, the Ant Park Fire threatens Showdown Mountain Ski Resort; yet another area right at the foot of what has the potential to cause damage not only to the ski resort, but also to the beautiful forests and places we recreate.

• Related: Eagle Point Resort, UT, Won’t Open This Winter After Wildfire Burns Half the Mountain and Floods Destroy Access Roads