Hot temperatures bump fire danger to high
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 3 months AGO
Firefighter patrols the edge of last year's Niarada fire, burning west of Elmo. (Photo by CSKT Division of Fire)
Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at editor@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343. | August 17, 2023 12:00 AM
With three fires still burning on the Flathead Reservation, albeit with less ferocity, fire managers warn the public to take extra precautions this week, when temperatures are predicted to soar into the triple digits in the Mission Valley.
Fire danger is at high, meaning that dry grasses and needles ignite easily, fires can spread rapidly and may be difficult to control.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are still in effect on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Residents and visitors are urged to visit www.MTFireInfo.org to learn more about fire conditions and restrictions across the state.
“While we cannot regulate the lightning, we can control our human-caused sparks,” said a press release from the CSKT Division of Fire.
As of Tuesday, members of the Wyoming Hot Shots and other fire personnel had successfully conducted strategic firing operations on about 50 acres of land on the southern edge of the Niarada fire, west of Elmo, causing a spike in smoke. The Hwy. 28 corridor is now well secured, according to the fire division, and the fire is 81% contained at 20,365 acres.
Firefighters have also been “triaging” residences in the area between Elmo and Big Arm, testing sprinkler systems and pumps, and working with landowners to reduce fire risk.
The smaller Mill Pocket fire, west of Hwy. 28, is 89% contained at 2,135 acres. Both fires were ignited by lightning July 30.
The Big Knife fire, which has been burning in the mountains southeast of Arlee since July 24, has consumed around 5,000 acres and is just 7% contained. Residents in the area can expect more smoke, due to the warmer, dryer weather.
To the east side of the fire, firefighters have been clearing areas around bridges and powerlines and fortifying them with sprinkler systems and pumps. They covered the Jocko Fire Lookout with fire-resistant wrap in case the fire pushes further north.
CSKT reports that the Middle Ridge Fire, which was sparked by lightning west of Ronan July 30, is 100% contained at 13,000 acres.
As of Tuesday, there were more than 600 firefighters and 33 engines deployed on the three active fires, with aircraft available as needed.
For daily updates, visit the www.facebook.com/CSKT.Division.of.Fire.