![Gold Creek Fire East of Missoula Now 40% Contained [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2013/07/Gold-Creek-Cabib-Jess-Secrest.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gold Creek Fire East of Missoula Now 40% Contained [AUDIO]
The Gold Creek Fire, burning about 15 miles northeast of Missoula is holding steady at about 175 acres, and has been declared 40% contained.
Fire Information Officer Mariah Leuschen said on Monday, that crews are making good progress against the lightning-caused fire .
"The fire is holing at 170 acres and we are at 40% containment," Leuschen said Monday morning. "We expect that percentage to go upwards later today when we hear how operations have been throughout the day."
"We have three Type One crews and two initial attack Type Two crews and then three helicopters fighting the fire," she said. "In total, there are 241 people on scene."
Inciweb notes there are some trail closures in the area. Gold Creek Trailhead and West Fork Gold Creek Trailhead will be closed. The area closure extends to all areas west of Gold Creek Road, north of Trail #52 (Primm Lake Trail) and east of the Main Rattlesnake Recreation Corridor. Trail #504 (Porcupine Ridge Trail) is closed. Trail #52 and trails south of the Rattlesnake vicinity are open. The closure also borders Trail #515 accessing the headwaters of Rattlesnake Creek, this trail is open.
There are three agencies cooperating in fighting the Gold Creek Fire. They include the Montana DNRC, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and the Lolo National Forest. Leuschen says the estimated cost so far in fighting the fire is approximately $1 million dollars.
Fire Information Officer Mariah Leuschen