Crews battle flames at National Bison Range

MOIESE — The St. Ignatius and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal fire departments responded to an out of control grass fire along the Jocko River Saturday around 3:20 p.m. The incident occurred about 1.25 miles west of the U.S. Highway 93 and MT Hwy. 200 intersection near Ravalli. A swirling wind carried the smoke and flames up a hillside, along a draw and into an area of the National Bison Range.

Nine Mission volunteer firefighters in four engines helped squelch the blaze, which covered close to 15 acres by the time it was completely put out. Tribal fire took over and monitored the situation from there.

According to St. Ignatius Fire Chief Ray Frey, things could have been worse.

“The incident probably did more good than damage, but it was one of those things you don’t want to get out of control,” Frey said.

“People were burning grass below on the Jocko and it got away from them,” he added. “They were burning down in some ditches along their hay pasture, and as usual, people don’t realize how fast fire goes.”