Twin Sisters and Queen Gulch fires grow as smoke impacts Boulder

BOULDER, Mont. — Fire crews made progress on two small wildfires in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest while smoke continued to affect daily life around Boulder.

A U.S. Forest Service incident commander reported the Twin Sisters Fire northwest of Judith Gap has burned more than 100 acres and is nearly 40% contained. Officials said the fire is not threatening structures or causing evacuations.

Near Boulder, the Queen Gulch Fire has burned 25 acres and is growing slowly. A Forest Service spokesperson explained the fire is burning in heavy timber on steep terrain, which makes access difficult and increases risks for fire crews.

Outside Boulder, smoky skies also continue to create unhealthy air conditions for people traveling through the area. Montana DEQ reported unhealthy air quality in several parts of the state, including Boulder.

NonStop Local went around town asking people how the smoke is affecting them.

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For some commuters, the smoke made driving more difficult.

"We have to be outside for work. We have to go to and from. So we can’t avoid that completely," said Melissa Valenta, a Whitehall resident.

Valenta said she commutes from Whitehall to Boulder for work and dealt with hazy conditions on the road.

"I keep thinking there’s someone in front of me on a dirt road, but dirt is coming up from the road but it’s not. It’s just smoke in the air," she said.

Some other residents said the air quality felt similar to previous years. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest fires and the lingering smoke continues to shape conditions in and around Boulder.