All are "wildland fire-use" fires
Five Area Fires Contribute to Flathead Valley Smoke
Smoke blanketing the Flathead Valley Tuesday morning was the result of five “wildland fire-use” fires burning in the area that were sparked by lightning about 10 days ago.
Wildland fire-use fires are allowed to burn so than can play their “natural role in the ecosystem,” according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The largest of the area fires is 200 acres, and the smallest is less than one acre. Three of them are burning in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The following are details of those five fires:
Hotter, Windier Weather in Forecast
Overcast Skies Slow Deep Draw Fire
KALISPELL – Overcast skies and milder temperatures have slowed a wildfire west of Elmo, but firefighters are preparing for hotter, windier weather in days to come.
The Deep Draw fire on Thursday was estimated at 1,726 acres and more than 400 firefighters were on hand. It's now 65 percent contained and firefighters hope to have it fully contained by Saturday, but gusty winds and temperatures approaching 90 degrees could delay that benchmark.
Deep Draw Fire
Wildfire Near Elmo Grows to 1,050 Acres
PABLO – A wildfire west of Elmo has grown to 1,050 acres and more than 200 firefighters were on the scene Tuesday.
The Deep Draw fire grew by 450 acres since Monday in steep, rocky and timbered terrain near Montana 28 about eight miles west of Flathead Lake. It was triggered by lightning Friday.
Deep Draw Fire
Fire Near Elmo Now 600 Acres
PABLO – Firefighters continued to battle a 600-acre wildfire Monday about three miles west of Elmo.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph caused flames to jump across the fire line Sunday, leaving the main blaze and a nearby 30-acre fire uncontained. Because the two fires are so close to one another, they are being fought as one blaze called the Deep Draw fire.
Lake County Fires
Two Fires Burning in Lake County
POLSON – Lake County sheriff's officials say two wildfires are burning in western Montana.
Both are burning near Highway 28 north of mile marker 38. One fire is estimated at around 250 to 400 acres, while the other is about 25 acres.
Cascade Fire
Wildfire Moves Closer to Red Lodge Ski Resort
BILLINGS – A wildfire pushed closer to a ski hill outside the resort town of Red Lodge Wednesday, as 30 mile-per-hour winds fanned the flames and authorities asked resort employees to evacuate.
By early evening, the fire had grown to 7,539 acres, or almost 12 square miles.
An evacuation order remained in force for 90 homes below the base of the ski mountain. Residents of an additional 200 homes have been told to be prepared to leave.
Cascade Fire
Governor Tours 5,800-Acre Fire Near Red Lodge
RED LODGE - Airplanes and helicopters dumped fire retardant and water on a fast-growing canyon fire outside this ski town Monday, trying to corral a blaze that was eating through blown-down timber and heavy lodgepole stands.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer took a small group of reporters aboard his airplane to get a closer look at the 5,800-acre fire.
Cascade Fire
Air Tankers Drop Retardant to Protect Red Lodge Ski Resort
RED LODGE – Heavy airtankers dropped fire retardant along a ridge near the Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort on Sunday to protect the resort from an advancing wildfire.
Resort employees stood by, ready to operate the resort's snowmaking equipment to send cascades of water against the fast-moving Cascade fire, said Forest Service fire information officer Jeff Gildehaus.
