Marston Fire now at 6,700 acres
Whitefish Pilot | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 7 months AGO
The Marston Fire north of Whitefish made a run over the weekend and now is estimated at 6,700 acres.
The lightning-caused fire on the Kootenai National Forest is just 15 percent contained after it grew on its northeast flank.
The blaze hasn’t yet moved onto the Flathead National Forest, and is about 20 miles away from Polebridge. Cool weather and some showers on Sunday helped slow the growth.
Officials expect the fire will continue backing downhill toward Deep Creek and Sink Creek if cool conditions persist.
Fire spokesman Tom Rhode said firefighters were drawing a line in the dirt while they could.
“It wasn’t very active yesterday,” he said Monday. “The west side has line on it, that’s the 15 percent containment, about nine miles. Crews are now working around the south and north sides of the fire. It comes creeping down to our lines, but we stop it. It hasn’t moved.”
A Montana National Guard Chinook helicopter and a medium helicopter are assisting with water drops on hot spots.
The Marston Fire is a part of three fires burning within the Northeast Kootenai Complex. The Sunday Fire is 60 acres and is now 100 percent contained. The Barnaby Fire burning in rugged terrain is 50 acres and is being monitored by helicopters.
A fire camp is set up on Ant Flat Road for the 285 personnel who continue to work the complex.
The complex received a tenth of an inch of precipitation over the weekend.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
ARTICLES BY WHITEFISH PILOT
Rehberg to attend rally for Jesus statue
Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg will attend a public rally in Whitefish on Nov. 10 in support of the World War II statue of Jesus on Big Mountain. Rehberg will be at the VFW Post 276 on Baker Avenue at 1 p.m.
Sled Dog Days pints for a purpose
Flathead Sled Dog Days is gearing up for its fifth annual dog sled race Jan. 6-8. Race organizers have partnered with the Whitefish Winter Carnival to become part of their festivities next month.
Whitefish businesswoman enters race for U.S. House seat
Whitefish businesswoman Diane Smith announced Thursday she has entered the race for Montana’s open congressional seat in the U.S. House.