The Alder Creek and Trail Creek fires in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest have now burned more than 35,000 acres combined, as the Christensen Fire grew to 1,274 acres as of Sunday morning.
An update from the Southern Area Incident Management Blue Team says fire activity picked up Saturday on the Alder Creek Fire west of Wise River. The fire has crossed Alder Creek and is now established on the north side of the drainage. Containment lines to the east of the fire are holding as crews continue to prioritize structure protection. The Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office says that Stage 2 evacuations will start at noon on Sunday from Alder Creek Road north to Dickie Bridge on the southwest side of Highway 43. All other existing evacuations will remain in effect. The Trail Creek Fire now stands at 27,797 acres west of Wisdom, according to the Sunday morning update.