Panama fire outside Cardwell in mop-up phase after burning 598 acres

The Panama fire burning 11 miles west of Cardwell is in mop-up phase, fire officials said Friday.

The Montana Department of Natural Resource, who is in command of the fire, revised their size assessment to 598 acres burned. The fire was 25% contained as of Friday morning.

Originally reported as human-caused, the cause of the fire is now considered under investigation, according to officials.

Equipment currently assigned to the fire includes three DNRC engines, five U.S. Forest Service engines and one water tender.

"Resources will continue operations with the objective of creating a cold, secure buffer around the entire perimeter," the update stated. "Some smoke may be visible today. Warm temperatures, strong winds, and low relative humidity is expected today, with a little cooler temperatures through the weekend."

Human-caused Panama fire outside Cardwell threatens a structure, burns 645 acres

Updated on March 19 at 1 p.m.

The 645-acre Panama fire burning in southern Jefferson County is threatening a structure as "challenging weather conditions" could stymie suppression efforts, fire officials said Thursday.

Firefighters initially responded to the human-caused fire around 1 p.m. Wednesday 11 miles east of Cardwell. 

The fire was 25% contained as of Thursday afternoon and is burning on private property.

On Thursday, firefighters plan to continue a direct attack on the fire's south edge while deploying a mix of direct and indirect tactics on the north side, including air resources.

"Today will see challenging weather conditions, with temperatures forecasted to be in the upper 60's, relative humidity in the 12-17% range, and west winds increasing to 20-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the afternoon, resulting in active fire behavior," an update from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office states.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is in command of the fire. In total, there are 57 personnel currently working the fire from Willow Creek VFD, Whitehall VFD, Montana City VFD, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management/Fire Warden.

Fire officials reported that crews were able to establish some dozer line around the fire in the overnight hours Wednesday going into Thursday.

"The fire will remain quite visible north of I-90 on the east side of Cardwell Hill/Doherty Mountain and the Milligan Canyon Road area," the update concluded.