New Sanders County blaze under investigation

A new wildfire sparked Thursday, Aug. 30, approximately 10 miles northeast of Hot Springs in Sanders County, according to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire.

Cause of the fire is under investigation.

The fire, measuring at 1,100 acres as of Friday afternoon, is burning in grasss and timber along a steep west-facing slope.

A local type-3 incident management team is overseeing operations.

C.T. Camel, fire prevention specialist and public information officer with DOF, stated in a press release Friday that the fire began in a grassy area “and quickly ran upslope with a southwest wind aiding it.”

Three helicopters, two air tankers, seven S.E.A.T. planes, three dozers and three skidgens worked on the fire until dark on Thursday.

There are 110 personnel assigned to the fire as of Friday afternoon.

The State of Montana, Bitterroot National Forest, Lolo National Forest, Missoula Smoke Jumpers and local rural fire departments have been on scene, assisting to combat the blaze.

Roads near the fire are closed until further notice, including: Rattlesnake Gulch Road, Sullivan 3000 Road, Deep Draw 4000 Road, Irvine (Elmo) 1000 Road, and the Irvine (Windy Gap) 1000 Road.

For fire updates, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov