Firefighters making progress

BAYVIEW - Firefighters are making progress on the Cape Horn Fire, saying Hotshot crews have nearly eliminated the need to fight the fire.

The Western Montana Type II Interagency Incident Management Team released an update Tuesday around 9:30 p.m., saying the fire is 70 percent contained and appears to have stopped growing at 1,326 acres.

Fire officials reported great progress in building fire control lines down the steep Three Sisters Ridge on the north flank of the fire.

"Three Hotshot crews launched a coordinated attack directly on the fire's edge and all but eliminated the need to conduct a large-scale burnout operation," the update said. "Dozers worked on the flatter terrain and chain saw operators cleared the steep sections to the point where we are confident our direct attack strategy will offer the best opportunity to secure the fire's edge and increase containment as crews follow in removing fuels and completing a line down to mineral soil."

Total personnel on the fire has been reduced slightly from a peak of 510 down Tuesday to 480.

Fire officials are concerned about warmer windy weather today because they will stimulate burning materials within the fire line, producing an increase of visible smoke within the fire perimeter.

"If smoke is observed that does not appear to be in conjunction with the Cape Horn Fire, please call (208-683-1024) or emergency personnel," the update said.

There was a community meeting held on Tuesday evening at the Bayview Community Center. Discussions included fire suppression operations and the transition plan to a smaller organization in the near future.

"There will be no further meetings planned for this incident," the update said. "We will continue to update our Inciweb and Facebook pages daily."

Information officers will be in the surrounding areas posting updates and communicating directly with community members and residents, the update said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Any rumors of cause and origin are speculative and unsubstantiated.