"The Silvertip fire’s rapid expansion to over 7,000 acres and the extended period required to achieve full containment highlight the challenges of managing large, naturally ignited wildfires in remote Montana terrain, especially given the sustained resource commitment and cost escalation."
The Silvertip wildfire, located 30 miles northeast of Condon in Flathead County, Montana, was first reported on August 6, 2026, and is a natural‑cause fire managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The fire grew from 6,196 acres on its first report to a peak of 7,144 acres on August 29, before stabilizing around 7,280 acres through September. Containment remained at 0% until August 18, when it reached 15%, and it steadily increased to 99% by September 16 and 100% by September 17. Personnel fluctuated from 16 at the outset to 10–14 during the majority of the event, with a final single firefighter on the scene during final containment. Estimated costs rose from $95,000 on August 7 to $375,000 by September 17, reflecting the prolonged effort to control the fire.
Official source description: 30 Miles NE from Condon, MT
Minimal; Smoldering; Flanking
Good air quality. Outdoor activity is generally safe near this incident.
Nearest reporting station: Seeley Lake. Source: AirNow.gov (EPA).
The fire is now fully contained and the behavior is minimal and smoldering. Residents in the area should remain aware of any local advisories, but no evacuation or immediate action is required at this time.
IRWIN ID: {C4138756-16B2-412F-B32B-4DB4520DE5BC}
Discovered: Jul 24, 2026
Cause: Natural
Managing Agency: USFS
Est. Cost to Date: $375,000
Coordinates: 47.8355, -113.2735
Other wildfires that have recently been contained or dropped from official tracking in MT.
The Silvertip Fire has burned 7,280 acres as of September 17, 2026.
Yes, the Silvertip Fire is fully contained (100%).
The official cause has been listed as: Natural.
The Silvertip Fire is burning in Flathead, MT.
Yes, as of the latest official update, the Silvertip Fire remains active.
Real-time map, acreage, and containment for every major U.S. wildfire, updated from official NIFC data.
View Live Map →