Rain assists with firefighting efforts
Whitefish Pilot | Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 2 years, 3 months AGO
Firefighters work the East Fork Fire west of Olney. (InciWeb photo)
Cool and wet weather provided welcome relief early this week as fire crews continue to battle the East Fork Fire west of Olney.
The lightning-caused fire burning in heavy timber and difficult terrain on the Flathead and Kootenai national forests remained at 4,614 acres as of Tuesday morning.
About a half inch of rain fell overnight on Monday in the area. Officials have described the rain as a “season-slowing” rather than a season-ending weather event.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service were calling for rain through Wednesday.
As a result of reduced fire behavior, crews were able to move in closer to the active fire and strengthen existing lines. On Tuesday they planned to build a continuous fireline across the northern edge of the fire and use heavy equipment on the eastern part to open up roads.
“Today we have an opportunity to work with the weather,” said Field Operations Chief Danny Lemer, in a statement.
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office lifted evacuation orders near Olney and Stryker on Sunday and placed the area on pre-evacuation status. Residents may return to their homes under a pre-evacuation warning but may need to leave again on short notice.
The East Fork Fire is 5% contained, officials said.
A fire east of Spencer Lake was contained Sunday by the state Department of Natural Resources and the Whitefish Fire Department, the fire department said on its Facebook page.
Rain also fell across the Ridge, Doris Point and Tin Soldier fires near the Hungry Horse Reservoir on Monday.
The Ridge Fire held steady at 3,651 acres as of Tuesday morning. The fire is 62% contained.
Crews expected to spend the day conducting mop-up work and building control lines to the north and east of the blaze.
The Hungry Horse Reservoir remains closed to the public. Residents located between the east side of Spotted Bear Road to West Glacier are under pre-evacuation notice. The Columbia Falls Junior High School at 1805 Talbot Road remains in use as an emergency shelter for those affected by the Ridge Fire.
Authorities ask that anyone planning on availing themselves of the shelter to call ahead at 800-733-2767.
The nearby Doris Point fire was at 1,534 acres in size on Tuesday and was 10% contained.
The Tin Soldier Fire, which has reached 7,697 acres, and was 0% contained.