Nine days after it was first reported, the Conrow Fire near Whitehall was 95 percent contained, fire officials said Saturday. Periodic smoke columns may continue to rise for some time from the fire’s interior as unburned fuels ignite, said fire personnel. The lightning-triggered fire grew quickly at times, expanding by about 700 acres in one 24-hour period, but was reported as showing no growth in acreage for several days after that. The acreage reported Saturday was 2741, up slightly from the 2727 acres reported over the previous six days. Saturday was the final shift for the Type 3 management team from Nevada that had been overseeing the fire fighting efforts. A more local contingent will be overseeing the fire, mopping up and patrolling the fire, said officials. A small fire at the intersection of Highway 69 and the Elkhorn turn- off late last week was rapidly controlled by a local fire response.
With continuing hot temperatures, low relative humidities and no expectation of rain, officials have tightened restrictions on fires. On August 30 the Jefferson County Commission joined forest officials in closing down all campfire burning. “Extreme fire conditions and lightning strikes have resulted in naturally caused fires in Jefferson County and the risk of human-caused fires has the potential to increase the burden on already over-taxed fire-fighting resources,” noted the commission. Besides barring campfires, the county action prohibits any slash burning or open fires, fireworks, and smoking except in an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation area or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. The resolution also spells out conditions for the use of charcoal and gas burners.
The action by county officials and similar action by public lands officials alters previous exemptions for campfires within metal rings or developed recreation sites, making all camp fires illegal. In addition, parks officials removed previous exemptions for fires at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park in southern Jefferson County. No fires will be allowed there or in Bannack State Park in Beaverhead County, officials said.
