Good morning, Missoula.

Tuesday evening, a community meeting was held at Olney Fire Department (11 Olney Loop Rd) to update residents on the Skillet Fire in Flathead National Forest.

Crews worked to water the fire’s edge and install protection equipment while evacuation orders remained for the Good Creek and Alder Creek areas.

Pending state approval, IRIS Metals — an Australian firm — will drill 16 holes for tungsten in the Flint Creek Range near Philipsburg starting this summer, with work set to finish in November and reclamation by December 2027.

Public comments on the environmental assessment are due by Aug. 14.

GasBuddy reported Montana gas prices dipped 2.8 cents to average $4.27 today, though levels remain $1.04 above last-year averages — with two Missoula stations charging $4.19 as of Monday.

National analysis shows a similar decline amid global oil market shifts.

The recent fire outlook from the National Interagency Fire Center shows above normal fire risk for much of Montana starting in August (including areas from Bitterroot Valley north through Missoula) amid dry conditions; hundreds of firefighters are working to manage active blazes such as the Skillet Fire in Flathead County.

The Elder 1 fire in Lolo National Forest burned 1,234 acres and is now 84% contained after Monday's cooler temperatures helped crews mop up hot spots.

Firefighters will secure a 100 ft buffer along the interior edge + maintain area closures as they work toward full containment.

Volunteers are still needed for the Bitterroot River Clean Up Saturday as teams will pick up trash from the headwaters to the confluence in Hamilton — the event will conclude with an afterparty at Fin’s Taphouse in Corvallis and a brief talk on the Sheep Creek Project.

Missoula County issued an emergency wildfire proclamation yesterday as fire danger peaked, giving its emergency manager authority to order evacuations & road closures if conditions worsen.

Fire crews made progress on the Elder 1 fire west of town while high temperatures are expected in the coming weeks.

Mushroom foragers in Montana are urged to double-check identification as 11 people were hospitalized in Park County from toxic wild mushrooms.

Local experts stress using multiple field guides — careful identification is key to enjoying chanterelle season safely.

Due to wildfire smoke, Missoula Family YMCA is modifying its summer camp by moving most outdoor activities indoors today while allowing brief outdoor breaks when the air clears so that around 250 kids can stay active and safe.