Fire near Lower Stillwater Lake fully contained
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 12 months AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | August 5, 2019 5:04 PM
Firefighters on Monday were wrapping up work on a 10-acre fire located west of Lower Stillwater Lake near Olney.
The Lower Stillwater Fire began on Thursday, Aug. 1 about 2.5 miles south of Olney just west of the lake and the Stillwater River.
On Monday, the fire was 100% contained, according to fire officials with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The fire was listed in patrol status with crews performing rehabilitation on the fire line such as reseeding to promote regrowth.
The fire was reported to the Kalispell Interagency Dispatch at 6 p.m. on Aug. 1 burning in grass, brush and timber.
Firefighters and engines from DNRC, Flathead National Forest, and Olney, along with a DNRC helicopter stopped the fire progression initially holding it at 2 acres in size.
A 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crew joined local resources and then was later released from the fire.
Work over the weekend included building a fireline with heavy equipment and working hotspots along the perimeter.
There were no structures threated, evacuations or closures as a result of the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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