Fire near Plains grows to 1,000 acres
MATT BALDWIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months AGO
The Banana Lake Fire burns near Plains on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Inciweb photo)
Hagadone Media Montana REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR Matt Baldwin is the regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana, where he helps guide coverage across eight newspapers throughout Northwest Montana. Under his leadership, the Daily Inter Lake received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Sam Gilluly Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism, Baldwin has called Montana home for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Sadie, have three daughters. He can be reached at 406‑758‑4447 or [email protected]. IMPACT: Baldwin’s work helps ensure Northwest Montana residents stay connected to their communities and informed about the issues that shape their everyday lives. | June 2, 2025 3:00 PM
A wildfire that cropped up Saturday in Sanders County quickly expanded its footprint to about 1,000 acres by Monday.
The uncontained Banana Lake Fire was burning in timber about 4 miles north of Plains between Locust Hill and Montana 28.
A dark plume of smoke could be seen from town when the fire erupted Saturday as unseasonably high temperatures climbed into the 90s.
"The winds were ripping and that's really what made it push," said spokesman Marcel Getz with the Montana Department of Natural Resources.
No evacuation orders had been issued as of Monday, and the cause remained under investigation.
Getz said there are structures in the area of the fire, but none were considered threatened.
The blaze drew a large response on Sunday, including a Hotshot crew, 17 engines and two helicopters. A Type 3 team arrived Monday.
Firefighters were working to build a containment line around the blaze that was showing moderate behavior with some torching and spotting during the heat of the day.
Getz said the fire slowed its progress Sunday and Monday as cooler and more humid weather moved into the region.
ARTICLES BY MATT BALDWIN
PHOTOS: No Kings protest draws crowd to Whitefish
A No Kings protest against the Trump administration drew hundreds of people to Grouse Mountain Fields in Whitefish on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The event, hosted by Flathead Democracy, was one of thousands held across the U.S., according to national event organizers.
Avalanche danger high after 2 to 3 feet of new snow
Dangerous backcountry conditions prompted a special avalanche warning Friday morning after Northwest Montana mountains were buried in 2 to 3 feet of snow.
Avalanche danger high after 2 to 3 feet of new snow
Dangerous backcountry conditions prompted a special avalanche warning Friday morning after Northwest Montana mountains were buried in 2 to 3 feet of snow.