Holter Lake closed due to fire

Part of Holter Lake is closed to boaters, anglers and other users due to fire suppression.

“We have closed much of Holter Lake to all recreational uses so fire crews can use airplanes to scoop water,” said Bruce Auchly, spokesman for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4.

The lake is closed from Split Rock downstream to Holter Dam.

“That’s about five miles by water,” Auchly said.

Two fires are burning near Holter Lake. The Bray fire and Timber Hills fire were both reported Sunday afternoon. The Bray fire is 5 miles east of Wolf Creek and is about 600 acres in size. The Timber Hills fire is near Craig and approximately 5 acres. It is 100 percent contained.

Campgrounds and homes near Holter Lake were evacuated Sunday, and those evacuations remain in place, fire information officer Crystal Beckman said. Twenty-eight residents on the north side of Beartooth Road were evacuated.

“They’re being patient and understanding with us,” Beckman said.

Beartooth Road is closed, and because of that, the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area is inaccessible.

Technically, the Beartooth WMA, located at the end of Beartooth Road, is open, Auchly said.

“You just can’t get there,” he said.

Most upland game bird hunting opened Tuesday. Archery opens Saturday. Hunters should pay attention to any closures that might be caused by fires.

“We, in Region 4, have no closures,” Auchly said.

However, some private land owners may have closed their property to hunting.

If hunters have lined up a place to hunt, they should double check with the landowner that it’s still open, Auchly said. Some block management properties are closed due to fire danger.

Crews continued to battle the Bray fire Tuesday, Beckman said.

“Since early this morning it has been active fire behavior,” she said Tuesday afternoon.

Hand crews and air resources are working on the blaze.

“No structures are threatened at this time,” Beckman said.