Polson Rural Fire responded to a report of a control burn on top of Jette Hill and US Highway 93 last week, which resulted in a five-acre brush fire and home evacuations.  

The first two units arrived on scene on Oct. 8 at about 1:45 p.m. near Rehbein Road and found about two acres of grass burning. Will Woodger, the district chief of Polson Rural Fire District, explained that grass is fine fuels that dry out fast and can spread quickly with wind.  

The fire was on a slope near heavy timber and in the direction of several homes in the Jette Lake area. At this point, mutual aid of two brush engines from Polson City Fire and CSKT Division of Fire was requested.  

Woodger stated that units notified homeowners within the area to temporarily evacuate their homes, which allowed units to bring in structure protection. 

“Suppression units used an anchor, flank and pinch tactic to get progressive hose laying around the fire,” Woodger stated in an email. “The fire was stopped at five acres, and no structures were lost or damaged.”  

Lake County is currently in moderate fire danger with Fall Open Burn Season from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. However, Woodger explained these fine fuels with the right amount of wind and little bit of sun will still carry flames even when snow is on the ground.  

Woodger stated a fire is less likely to spread now compared to peak wildland season, but these fires are still a threat to the community. Heavier fuels will hold moisture longer than grass or finer fuels.  

Polson Rural Fire responded with 20 personnel on two command vehicles, three brush engines, one tactical water tender, two water tenders, and one type 1 structure engine. 

Woodger stated the fire was caused by humans and asked people to take certain steps to ensure safe burning. These steps include burning early in the day and checking the weather for that afternoon or wind conditions the next day, keeping piles small, nd not burning trash.  

Along with having adequate equipment, assistance or water to put the fire out and always making sure the area is cold to touch before leaving, Woodger also said people should check the following day to make sure the area is stumps or roots didn’t re-ignite.