Alder Creek fire is nation’s top priority fire

The Alder Creek Fire, which has consumed more than 5,000 acres in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, is the nation’s top fire priority, according to a readout from a briefing between Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

As of noon Wednesday, there were 19 large fires burning in Montana with the Northern Rockies region being the top priority in the nation. So far in 2021, there have been 1,500 fires started in the state burning around 200,000 acres, according to the readout.

Of the $105 million the state had in its Fire Suppression Fund at the beginning of the fiscal year, officials estimate nearly $8.9 million of it has been used fighting fire so far this fiscal year, according to the readout.