Three Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) skimmed Flathead Lake, before dousing the fire near Niarada Sunday afternoon. The blaze had consumed 4,275 acres by Monday and forced a temporary closure of Hwy. 28 between Elmo and Niarada. (Taurie Matt/Leader)
July 31, 2023
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August 3, 2023 midnight
Circle of fire: Four blazes fanned by high winds
The dry lightning that strode across western Montana Saturday night was bad enough, starting a line of fires from north of Dixon to Niarada. But when winds, reportedly gusting up to 40 mph, kicked up Sunday afternoon, fires that seemed manageable suddenly weren’t.