Lightning brings three new fire starts

Lightning started three new fires on the Flathead Reservation on Wednesday night according to the CSKT Division of Fire.

The Garceau Fire is a Type 4 incident located 17 miles west of Polson and is burning in timber and grass with downed fuel. The Division of Fire Overhead, Polson Rural, a fire division dozer, and three Single Engine Air Tankers were able to catch the blaze Thursday. No closures and no structures are threatened.

The Haymaker Fire is located six miles southeast of Polson in the Mission Mountains and is burning in steep terrain with thick, dense timber. Firefighters were attempting to access the fire Thursday morning and smoke jumpers and aviation have been ordered, including Single Engine Air Tankers. 

The Irvine Fire is located seven miles west of Polson along Irvine Flats Road where lightning ignited grass. Polson Rural Engines, along with Division of Fire Engines were able to catch this fire.

"Numerous others were reported, but weren’t found," according to CSKT Fire Prevention Specialist C.T. Camel. He added that DOF patrol was looking for new blazes Thursday.

The Big Draw Fire, reported Monday in the area west of Elmo along Hwy. 28, was 95 percent contained by Tuesday.

According to a press release from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the fire had burned around 160 acres 11 miles west of Elmo by Tuesday morning. It was believed to have been started after a tire fell off of a boat trailer and ignited grass along Hwy. 28. As of Tuesday, no structures were threatened.

Units from the CSKT Division of Fire, and Polson, Chief Cliff and Hot Springs Rural departments were on the scene. Three single-engine air tankers (SEATs) were dropping water on the blaze, while two bulldozers were also deployed.

CSKT, Ronan and Hot Springs firefighters also attacked a 10-acre fire located 12 miles west of Ronan near Sloan’s Bridge July 17. No structures were threatened in that fire either.

The fire was believed to have been started by individuals who were target shooting in the area and remains under investigation.

Continuing hot, dry conditions and lack of precipitation prompted wildland fire officials to raise the fire danger on the Flathead Indian Reservation to extreme last week, meaning dry grasses and needles ignite easily, fires can spread rapidly and may be difficult to control. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions were implemented Saturday on reservation lands and state lands in the area, including campgrounds around Flathead Lake and at Lake Mary Ronan.

Campfires are now prohibited, although gas stoves may still be used in areas clear of flammable materials. Smoking is prohibited outside of vehicles, buildings and developed recreation sites; and operating motorized vehicles off of designated roads and trails is not allowed.  

Those working in the woods must quit operating internal combustion engines, welding or using torches with open flames or using explosives between the hours of 1 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Camel also urges people to avoid driving or parking in tall grass and encourages farmers to put up hay during the morning hours. He also notes that those firing weapons at shooting-range targets can ignite dry grasses.

“Do your part to prevent a wildfire spark,” he says.

According to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, an average of 75% of wildfires in Montana are human-caused on an annual basis.

To avoid starting wildfires, FWP recommends:

• Never discard cigarettes, matches, or smoking materials on the ground.
• Maintain and clean any logging, farming, or lawn equipment before use.
• Ensure trailer chains are properly secured to prevent dragging, which can cause sparks.

Debris burning is prohibited in northwest Montana during July, August and September.

Residents and visitors are urged to visit www.MTFireInfo.org to learn more about fire restrictions that are in place across the state. For local fire updates, visit www.facebook.com/CSKT.Division.of.Fire.