Wilderness fires close trails

The Elbow Pass Complex Fire and Prisoner Lake Fire burning in the Flathead National Forest portion of the Bob Marshall Wilderness have prompted Forest officials to close trails for public safety.

“Safety for the public is my main concern when closing trails, however there are many areas still open for backcountry use and camping,” Spotted Bear District Ranger Deb Mucklow said.

Trails closed in the area around the Elbow Pass Complex Fire include:

• Trail No. 139 — Rapid Creek Trail, closed from the junction with Trail No. 273 to Observation Pass.

• Trail No. 272 — Fiction Creek Trail, closed from the junction with Trail No. 139 to the trail’s end.

• Trail No. 140 — Bar Creek Trail, closed approximately 1.5 miles from the junction with Trail No. 126 at the end of Bar Meadows to Observation Point.

There are also several trail closures in place on the Lewis and Clark National Forest associated with the Elbow Pass Complex Fire. For more information and maps, visit the Elbow Pass Complex InciWeb page at http://inciweb.org/incident/3066/.

Trails closed in the area of the Prisoner Lake Fire include:

• Trail No. 138 — Molly Creek Trail, closed from the junction with Trail No. 112 to White River Pass.

• Trail No. 380 — South Fork of the White River Trail, closed from the junction with Trail No. 139 to the trail’s end.

• Trail No. 626 — Haystack Mountain, closed from the junction with Trail No. 139 to Haystack Mountain.

• Trail No. 211 — Indian Creek on the Lewis and Clark National Forest, closed from White River Pass to the junction with Trail No. 203.

Trails closed due to fire activity from the Condon Mountain Fire include:

• Trail No. 29 — Little Salmon Creek Trail is closed from the junction with Trail No. 25 on the Spotted Bear Ranger District over Smith Creek Pass to the Smith Creek Trailhead on the Swan Lake Ranger District.

For specific information on closures and maps, visit online at www.inciweb.org or contact the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 758-5376.