2,500-acre fire among 19 on Spotted Bear District
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years, 10 months AGO
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | August 15, 2015 8:19 PM
The Spotted Bear Ranger District remains the hot spot for fires on the Flathead National Forest, with eight new fires started by Friday’s lightning storms.
Spotted Bear has 19 fires while the rest of Flathead National Forest has four.
Early estimates came in after crews spent several hours sizing up the situation and mapping fires with GPS.
“Most of the day was spent out scouting and pulling information together,” said Colter Pence, a Flathead Forest public information officer.
Crews had been unable to evaluate the fires in the Spotted Bear area until Saturday because of Friday’s high winds, lightning, localized rain and smoke. Saturday brought milder weather and firefighters were able to start building fire lines in priority areas, according to Pence.
Pence said a little more fire activity is anticipated as the weather warms.
“We’re supposed to have another day of cooler weather, but warmer than today and shifting winds for tomorrow,” Pence said Saturday night.
The largest fire is the Trail Creek Fire. By Saturday, it had burned 2,500 acres north of the Spotted Bear River.
Nearby is the Milk Creek Fire that was approaching the Silvertip Cabin.
“We took proactive measures today to wrap the cabin,” Pence said.
The Bear Creek Fire has grown by about 20 acres to 200 acres. The fire is 5.5 miles southwest of Spotted Bear.
A Type 3 team has been assigned to the Bear Creek Fire.
The Flat Creek Fire, ignited Friday by lightning, is approximately 40 acres.
There are four active fires on the Tally Lake Ranger District. The largest is Sunday Creek at 160 acres. Ema Braunberger, a forest public affairs officer, said a crew of 15 has been fighting the fire.
Braunberger said the other fires are less than an acre.
Closures prompted by the fires include the Spotted Bear River Road and the trailheads and trail system that start from this road. Extensive trail closures in the upper Middle Fork area are being developed and people are asked to call 758-3483 for more information.
Trail closures are in place for the Bunker Creek Trail system and Chipmunk Creek Trail due to the Bear Creek Fire.
A temporary flight restriction is in place around the Bear Creek Fire.
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