A wildfire on a Flathead River island south of Kalispell drew a response from several fire departments and other agencies to fight the fire and search for either victims or suspects Tuesday afternoon.

Shortly before 1:30 p.m., the fire was reported in the area of Leisure Island with flames of five feet and higher.

The fire eventually was determined to be on Morse Island just to the east of Leisure Island and eventually covered several acres.

The South Kalispell Fire Department was the first on the scene, where the fire had started suspiciously close to a tent set up on one corner of the island. Next to the tent was a propane tank and other items, but its owners were nowhere to be found.

A nearby property owner who did not share his name said he had seen a woman and two children near the tent the previous night.

Since there was no road access to the island, a South Kalispell firefighter made several trips in a small boat, transporting people and equipment.

In addition to firefighters and fire investigators, the ALERT helicopter also responded, circling the area to search for the people connected to the tent, whether they be lost, hiding, or injured.

South Kalispell Fire Chief Chris Yerkes said shortly before 6 p.m. that crews were finally close to containing the fire, which was burning in heavy cottonwood trees, downed trees and thick brush.

Yerkes credited the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for bringing a portable pump that allowed firefighters to run hoses on the island. He said a nearby landowner also offered the use of his boat, and a pair of fishermen transported some firefighters to the island.

“The wind was pushing it pretty good there at different times, and it’s really, really dry out here,” Yerkes said. “We’re getting a ton of spot fires, too, across the line. These cottonwoods are sending embers flying for hundreds of feet.”

He said embers were landing on Leisure Island earlier in the day.

“I think now I’m cautiously optimistic, I think we’re going to be able to keep it on this side,” Yerkes said. “We’re going to have a lot of mop-up for the next day or two, but it’s looking a lot better.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

There are no structures on the island.

The Smith Valley, West Valley and Somers fire departments also responded to the fire.