CLARK FORK — As the temperatures increased over the past few days, so has the activity on the Lightning Creek Fire.

Located nine miles north of Clark Fork, the fire grew slightly to 2,432 acres, with the fire actively backing through drying fuels in the area, Kory Johnson, U.S. Forest Service fire information officer, said in a Monday press release.

"However, the Lightning Creek Fire has only minimally grown, and it continues to burn within the footprint of the 2018 Cougar Fire," he said. "Within this footprint, dead trees, thick brush and large logs continue to burn."

On Sunday, Johnson said fire crews cooled hot spots along the fire edge with assistance from helicopter bucket drops.

There are 133 personnel assigned to the fire, which remains at 0% containment. Among equipment assigned to the fire are four engines, a water tender and six excavators. In addition, there are a feller buncher, hand crew and hotshot firefighters. Hotshot crews are specialized teams of highly trained wildland firefighters experienced in battling wildfires.

The Northern Rockies team, led by Shane Martin, took command of firefighting efforts Friday.

While cooler temperatures are expected mid-week, the area has been under a heat advisory Monday and Tuesday. As a result, Forest Service officials said fire behavior may increase slightly with backing fire spread possible. Smoke could also be visible from the Clark Fork community and the Highway 200 corridor. 

Currently assigned crews and heavy equipment will continue improving the Lightning Creek Road as a control line and thinning brush within the shaded fuel break along East Fork Trail 563. Where safe, crews are also mopping up along the fire edge.

"These resources and tactics remain critical to reduce fire spread toward communities, particularly during hot and dry weather, when fire behavior may increase," Johnson said in the press release.

An area closure order is in place for the area surrounding the fire. Also, Lightning Creek Road (NFSR 419) is closed from the junction of Trestle Creek Road (NFSR 275) south to the Regal Creek crossing. The closure is necessary to protect public safety and welfare and provide safe firefighting efforts and access.

A temporary flight restriction is in place, restricting all drones and aircraft from operating in the fire area without permission. Unauthorized aircraft pose a serious hazard to aviation personnel, forcing the grounding of aircraft and potentially delaying fire suppression efforts.

Information: bit.ly/4l5NhIB