Lolo National Forest Deals With Over 23 Fire Starts Over Weekend

The following updates were provided to KGVO News by Lolo National Forest spokesman Boyd Hartwig:

Summary: The Plains-Thompson Falls and Superior Ranger Districts yesterday responded to 18 new lightning-started fires and two human-caused fires. Plains-Thompson Falls District had ten of these fires and several of them are expected to be active today. The Superior Ranger District had success on all of their fires though many remain in mop-up or patrol status. There have been no structures threatened by any of these fires but the Plains-Thompson Falls fires have been producing smoke visible from Thompson Falls and to motorists travelling on Highway 200. Two fires are burning on south facing slopes in steep, rocky terrain above the highway about seven miles east of Thompson Falls on the north side of Highway 200. A seven acre fire is also burning in a remote area of the West Fork Thompson River drainage. Firefighters began hiking to that fire location yesterday. The Plains-Thompson Falls District has mobilized a Type III Incident Management Team to manage these fires. A dedicated Public Information Officer will be providing updates on the fires.

Ninemile Ranger District:

The district had two fires yesterday that have been contained. One of these fires was north of Kreis Pond. Both fires were less than one acre.

Seeley Ranger District: Over the last several days the Seeley district has responded to one fire that is now in patrol status. The Trail Creek Fire is about one mile south of the Pyramid Pass Trailhead. It was contained at less than one acre.

Missoula Ranger District:

Firefighters with the aid of aircraft have contained the Howard Creek Fire at 12 acres. This fire will continue to be mopped-up and patrolled and firefighters will continue to search for possible spot fires outside of the main fire perimeter. A closure remains in effect for this fire for public safety

Howard Creek Fire Closure: An area closure is in place for public safety. The north-south boundaries are from Forest Service Road 33 (Wagon Mountain Road) south to Highway 12. Wagon Mountain Road is closed for public safety. The east-west boundary is from Graves Creek road approximately 8 miles west to Forest Service Road 33. Please see closure map for details. Graves Creek Road, Fish Creek Road and Highway 12 remain open.