Wildfire in Meagher, Montana

The Ellis Fire was discovered in the Helena National Forest about 2.5 miles southwest of the Smith River on July 8th. It became a part of the Divide Complex type one incident team on July 23rd, and the cause is still under investigation. The fire had burned 1,227 acres by the end of the month.

Strong high pressure was the dominant weather pattern in July, which was occasionally suppressed by passing shortwaves and modest moisture for periods of scattered thunderstorms. Often times, the thunderstorm activity was followed by gusty winds and low relative humidity. Both lightning and human caused fires flourished in this environment.