The Bielenburg Fire is being turned over to the Pintler Ranger District on Wednesday, September 7. Firefighters will be working to rehabilitate any areas that need attention.

Firefighters worked to make sure that the fire is completely out on the fire's the south and east flanks to protect private property. In addition, firefighters worked to put out the northern portion of the fire where it could threaten a parcel of private property surrounded by national forest.

The western portion of the fire is being allowed to continue burning into the national forest. Area residents can expect to see smokes high on the mountain.

Although the fire burned through the Racetrack Campground, it did not burn through the conifers that surround the campsites. The grasslands, shrubs, and aspen that burned will green up quickly next spring.

The western portion of the fire is being managed for resource benefits. The biggest benefit is breaking up continous forest fuels, which reduces the risk of a catastrophic fire. Because there is less ground fuel in the burned areas, firefighters will have a better chance of keeping fires away from private property in the future. Next spring, elk and deer will find the grass and shrub sprouts especially palatable. Forage will be improved for decades to come.

The Beilenburg Fire was started by lightning about July 13, southwest of Deer Lodge, Mont. Firefighters searched for the fire but weren't able to find it. As the weather warmed and dried, conditions allowed the small, smoldering fire to flare up and winds drove it on July 19. The fire made a much larger push when it was driven by winds of up to 50 miles an hour on the afternoon of September 26.

Road and trail closures in the area have been lifted with warning signs posted to let forest users know of the fire burning in the area.

The management of this fire is under a long-term implementation plan to achieve resource benefit objectives, while at the same time protecting private and State lands to the south and east.