Monday, December 23, 2024
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Trio of fires burning on Flathead Reservation

by MATT BALDWIN
Lake County Leader | August 24, 2022 12:00 AM

Crews were battling a trio of new wildfires that cropped up on the Flathead Reservation last week.

The largest, the Garceau Fire, was sparked by an electric fence and had burned some 6,700 acres as of Tuesday. It is located 10 miles west of Polson near Lonepine and was 55% contained. The cost to fight the fire was estimated at $3.5 million.

340 firefighters assigned to the fire were working to secure the perimeter and douse hot spots with helicopter water drops.

There were no evacuations and no structures were threatened at presstime. However, Irvine Flats and Garcon Gulch roads going up to Windy Gap were closed to through traffic. 

Just to the north, the Sullivan Fire had burned 80 acres as of Tuesday. 55 firefighters had the blaze 10% contained.

The fire is just east of Montana 28 in Rattlesnake Gulch. The cause is under investigation.

Heavy air tankers and single-engine air tankers were being used in grass openings to slow the fire's spread.

Meanwhile, the Revais Fire, 4 miles west of Dixon, had burned 15 acres.

The fire was in steep and rugged terrain at Revais Creek.

24 firefighters were assigned to the fire, and air resources were being used.

There were no evacuations or structures threatened.

The 6000 and 7000 roads are closed in Revais. The 7000 road from Valley Creek coming into Revais is also closed, along with the 6000 road from Magpie coming into Revais.