Purdy fire 60 percent contained

By SCOTT McMILLION Chronicle Staff Writer

Firefighters made large advances Tuesday on the Purdy fire burning south of Bozeman, though the blaze increased its acreage from 4,800 acres to 5,000 acres.

"We made some good progress today," said Dave Schmitt, a fire information officer.

The fire, which started last week from a lightning strike, is now 60 percent contained and fire managers expect full containment by the end of the day Thursday.

Containment means crews have scratched a line, whether by hand or by bulldozer, all the way around the fire.

Helicopters remained busy throughout the day and fireline explosives, which resemble a garden hose packed with dynamite, were used Tuesday to clear more line.

"A lot of folks around here heard a big boom about 2 in the afternoon," Schmitt said.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels are helping firefighters with their work, he said. Similar weather conditions are expected for the rest of the week.

The fire-related detour that had been in place on U.S. 191 south of Gallatin Gateway has been lifted.

The detour had diverted 191 traffic through Gallatin Gateway and to the east side of the Gallatin River to keep sightseers from interfering with firefighters.

Also, the evacuation order in the Little Bear, West Fork of Wilson and Yankee creek drainages will be evaluated on a "day by day basis."

Thirty households have been evacuated but some residents have been moving their belongings back to their homes, though fire bosses don't want them sleeping at home just yet.

"Several folks have brought their stuff back in," Schmitt said. "They just can't stay the night."

There are now 1,156 people attached to the firefighting effort, which has already cost $2.9 million. One cabin has been lost to the flames, but all other structures in the area are safe so far.

For the rest of the week, crews will concentrate on completing a line around the fire, protecting structures and doing mop-up.

In some places, work already has begun on rehabilitating fire lines, Schmitt said.

Scott McMillion is at scottm@gomontana.com