Gold Pan Fire Crosses Into Montana

The Gold Pan fire has grown to be one of the nation's largest fires and has recently spread across the state line from Idaho. Incident Management Team Spokeswoman Doloara Gogger said that the recent winds that spread the Lolo Creek Complex fire also hit the Gold Pan, but the impact was less severe.

"Fortunately we are not quite as out of control [as the Lolo Complex]," Gogger said. "We have had some winds and some pretty good fire activity. Gold Pan on the east edge has made it to the wilderness boundary between Idaho and Montana. There is some spotting on the Montana side, and they are up there taking a good look at that and keeping an eye on it."

Although Gold Pan has expanded into Montana, it is still 10 to 12 miles from the homes around Painted Rocks Lake. Gogger said that the fire is currently just a few hundred acres shy of reaching the 30,000 acre mark. So far, Gold Pan has cost nearly $8 million to fight.