Firefighters contained the “Lindy Fire” north of Libby this week to limit the number of acres burned at 18.

The fire, ignited by lightning and located in the Lindy Peak area on Bobtail Ridge, was reported this past Saturday by a Libby resident. It was first estimated at up to 30 acres in size but was later downsized.

“Right now, they’re in the mop-up stage,” Kootenai National Forest’s Willie Sykes said Wednesday. “They’re patrolling the fire line to make sure that it doesn’t escape.”

At the height of the fire, 120 personnel were assigned to the site, including a local Type III team. Two dozers, four water tenders and three helicopters played a role in containment efforts.

With dry summer conditions, firefighters in northwestern Montana have responded to a number of fires, including several human-caused blazes.

Fire restrictions are currently not in place in northwestern Montana but officials anticipate that continued hot temperatures and lack of moisture will prompt restrictions in the near future.

Fire officials offer the following safety tips and guidelines:

• Build safe campfires by keeping them small and contained. Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is “dead out” before leaving it. State law requires that anyone lighting a campfire must have a bucket and shovel handy.

• Use equipment that has a properly functioning spark arrester. All types of equipment and vehicles are required to have spark arresters, including chain saws, portable generators, cross-country vehicles, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, and farm equipment.

• When smoking is permitted, safe practices include a three-foot clearing around the smoker, a fully extinguished cigarette or cigar prior to disposal, and use of an appropriate container for disposal.  

• Check burn piles from the spring and earlier this year. Many burns are able to carry fire over several weeks and should be inspected regularly.  

Officials offer the reminder that anyone causing a wildfire can be held financially responsible for damages and suppression costs.  

Fire danger on the Kootenai National Forest is currently designated as “high.” Wildland fires should be reported to Kootenai Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 406-283-7740 or, if no answer, call 911.