The Sunrise fire is just under eight miles from where I (Angela Montana) live–and that thing is not stopping any time soon! Windy, hot and dry conditions are increasing the size of this fire every day. As of Monday, August 31st, it was burning at least 8,200 acres and was just 5% contained with more than 500 workers doing everything they can to try and get some control on the blaze. (UPDATE: The fire has now reached just under 10,000 acres as of Tuesday, 8.1.17, afternoon)
Being that I live just a few miles down the road from it and have to drive by it on my way to and from work in Missoula, I decided to take some pictures of it. It is scary, smoky and just so sad. Helicopters are back and forth and fire trucks are parked in the fields near the interstate at the base of the fire. The forest service is driving the frontage road looking for spot fires, too. It’s horrible. Visibility is poor from the smoke even though there is not a cloud in the sky.
We are praying for all who are affected by any of the wildfires in Montana, and we hope these fires are under control and put out soon.
Here are a few of my cell phone pictures from yesterday.
