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Fire managers say they are turning over control of the Millie Fire south of Bozeman back to the Gallatin National Forest. In addition, 344 people assigned to fighting the fire are being released so they can help attack other fires across the country.

"We've kept it out of the urban interface and the Bozeman Watershed," Incident Commander Tom Suwyn said of efforts to keep the fire away from structures in the Cottonwood Canyon area during dry windy days since Sunday. Suwyn also said "Using helicopter resources and ground crews over three days of dry, hot and windy weather, firefighters have held the fire, and we feel pretty confident as we give it back to the Forest."

The fire is now 60 percent contained and is estimated at 10,205 acres. It started August 28th with a lightning strike. Because the fire is not fully contained, some areas nearby remain closed. That includes roads and trails in Leverich Canyon, Hyalite Canyon and Sourdough Canyon/Bozeman Creek.

A public Fire Information Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. today at Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 W. Graf St. in Bozeman. Fire officials say the meeting will address the current situation and anticipated future developments relating to the Millie Fire.

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