Roaring Lion Fire Sends Up More Smoke

The Roaring Lion Fire put out an increased amount of smoke Wednesday, contributing to lower air quality in the Bitterroot Valley.

Bitterroot National Forest officials said the fire was concentrated in unburned sections in the Ward bowl area near the top of Ward Mountain. The high temperatures and low humidity provided the trigger for the fire to produce a column of smoke through the afternoon.

Helicopters and air tankers dropped water and retardant to keep the fire inside the bowl area. No homes were threatened and the containment lines held.

The Moose and Cedar Wilderness fires saw some growth in the warm weather Wednesday, too.