A grass fire that threatened two residences and scorched 1,688 acres east of Hot Springs was fully contained Monday afternoon.

The Bras Fire sparked outside a private residence on Prongua Road early Saturday afternoon, according to Hot Springs Fire Chief Randy Woods. Flames from a burning pile of waste were picked up by 20 mph wind gusts. Oily sage brush fed the fire as it spread nearly 1,700 acres between Little Bitterroot Road and Wilks Gulch Road.

Woods responded to reports of an out-of-control grassfire at about 2:30 p.m. and immediately called for backup.  

"Right away, I realized it was going to be unmanageable," he said. 

Approximately 50 fire personnel from Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department, Polson Rural Fire District, Ronan Fire Department and tribal Wildland Fire Management arrived on scene, with 14 grass fire trucks and two water tenders. 

Firefighting resources are hard to come by this late in the year, Woods said, when fire season "is supposed to be over." The dozer didn't arrive until 7 p.m. on Saturday, and there was no available air support.  

Crews worked night and day to keep the 30-foot flames from spreading, according to the fire chief. They started back fires from county roads to burn off flammable vegetation. 

"Sage brush burns hot," Woods said. "You can't get close enough to put water on it." 

The person who burned waste on the property reportedly failed to follow fire safety protocols, according to Woods. It took place in a grassy area with no water or fire suppression equipment nearby and was left alone as the wind picked up, he said.  

Wood said property damage was minimal. One excavator from a nearby rock yard was lost to the flames, and patches of fencing were destroyed. 

The fire is currently under investigation. 

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.