Big Knife Fire burns near Arlee

The first fire reported on the Flathead Reservation this summer started Monday and is burning five miles east of Arlee in steep, rocky terrain.

According to wildland fire officials with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire, the Big Knife Fire had consumed 116 acres Tuesday evening, forcing the closure of the Canal Road from Mountain Home to the Jocko Canyon.

A community meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Arlee Community Center. Fire personnel will provide updates and be available for questions.

As of Tuesday, no structures were threatened and no evacuations were in place. Aviation was being used to slow its progress, with three Type 1 helicopters, four single-engine air Tankers, and 10 smokejumpers from Missoula assigned to the blaze.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for air space over the

fire, and applies to both manned and unmanned aircraft.

Also Monday, the fire division raised the fire danger within the Flathead Indian Reservation to “very high,” effective immediately.

Very high fire danger means that dry grasses and needles ignite easily, fires can spread rapidly and may be difficult to control. There are no restrictions in place at this time, but residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution when recreating or working outdoors.

Fireworks are prohibited on all tribal, state and federal classified forestlands, and debris burning is illegal through Sept. 30.

According to CSKT Fire Prevention Specialist C.T. Camel, firefighters have responded to unattended campfires and equipment fires in the past week.

“The public needs to be safe when outdoors,” he says. “Do not drive or park in tall grass.”

He encourages farmers to cut and bale hay in the mornings or late evenings.

According to Camel, unattended campfires are likely to escape when conditions are so dry.

“Always attend your campfire and use established fire rings,” he says. “Remember to completely drown your campfire with water, stir the coals and embers, then drown again and make sure the campfire is cool to the touch. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.”

For more information, contact Division of Fire at 406-676-2550, email Camel at ct.camel@cskt.org, for check www.facebook.com/CSKT.Division.of.Fire for updates.