Archived Story

Firefighting help pouring in from all over
By COLIN McDONALD for the Missoulian

Western Montana is No. 1 on the national priority list for forest fire resources. From all over the country, crews and equipment are coming to help control the fires. With the increased humidity and a little rain Saturday morning many of the fires are beginning to yield.

"We've pretty well got this one put to bed," said Lee Hyslop, information officer on the Dirty Ike fire outside of Clinton.

Dirty Ike:

At 1,200 acres and 40 percent contained, Hyslop said he felt confident that with 300 personnel on hand, the fire would soon be under control.

Mineral Primm:

Outside of Missoula in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area, the Mineral Primm fire is made up of several smaller fires caused by lightning strikes. Crews are using bulldozers to construct fire lines around the largest fires which are estimated at 9,000 acres.

Boles Meadow:

Near Seeley Lake, this 3,350 acre fire is 50 percent contained and grew by less than 100 acres Saturday, in spite of consistent 25 mph winds. Officials have committed 710 personnel, 28 fire engines, 11 bulldozers and three helicopters to the fire. Currently, the fire is threatening no structures.

Cherry Creek:

Hotshot fire crews have had to use helicopters to access this remote fire, eight miles southeast of Thompson Falls. The fire has not increased from its 4,000 acres on Friday and crews are keeping an eye on 180 structures that could be threatened by the fire. The fire is 30 percent contained with five helicopters dropping water on the fire and reinforcing fire lines with 409 personnel dedicated to the fire.

Lincoln Fire Complex:

Made up of three main fires and several unnamed smaller fires, the Lincoln Fire complex is estimated to cover 9,000 acres. Overlapping with the Scapegoat Wilderness, the fire is 5 percent contained with 64 personnel dedicated to the fire. Due to heavy smoke, no planes could fly on Saturday to monitor the fire.

Elsewhere:

Here is a summary of the major wildfires in Montana:

Wedge Canyon fire: The fire, a few miles south of the Canadian border and about 20 miles east of Eureka, has burned 36 buildings, including seven houses. The fire was up to 40,586 acres by Saturday. Was 60 percent contained.

Robert fire: Estimated at more than 42,600 acres. Park officials plan to re-open Going-to-the-Sun Road on Sunday, with some nighttime restrictions. Lake McDonald Lodge and Sperry Chalet to begin gradual reopening, but no date set for overnight stays. About 800 firefighters assigned. Was 45 percent contained. Suppression costs $14 million to date.

Trapper Creek Complex: On Flattop Mountain, a remote area north of Going-to-the-Sun Road in the north-central part of Glacier National Park and about 45 miles northeast of Kalispell. Estimated at 22,551 acres. Remained 65 percent contained.

Little Salmon Creek Complex: Two fires in Bob Marshall Wilderness combined have burned 19,000 acres. Has burned one cabin. About 80 people working on the fire. A fire use team is assigned, meaning the team is not attempting to suppress the fire, just manage it.

Winslow fire: Two miles west of Lakeview, a small town on the Idaho border. Covered 8,150 acres on both sides of Idaho-Montana state line. About 190 firefighters.


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