Colt Fire July 28: containment reaches 3%, helicopters use Condon airport as base

Fire lines on the eastern flank of the fire are holding, giving firefighters on the Colt Fire their first confirmed containment on July 28. The Colt Fire is now 5,252 acres with 3% containment. The fire grew about 315 acres from July 27

Fire crews burned out western sections of Forest Service Road 646 on July 27, containing the flames closest to homes on the northeast side of the fire. Workers on the north side are clearing vegetation from Beaver Creek Road with dozers and hand crews and plan to also burnout when the fire approaches the road.

On the south side, two spot fires started on Thursday, but were quickly secured. Fire crews have made direct containment lines on the fire using dozer lines. The south side is edging closer to the West Fork of the Clearwater River, but has yet to jump the river.

Fire managers reaffirmed that the area has a temporary flight restriction and announced that Condon’s airstrip will be used as a helicopter base until further notice. General aviation is not allowed to use the airstrip.

Fire activity should be low-to-moderate on July 28, with a high of 71-81 degrees in the fire area. There is also a 20% chance for thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 30 mph.