Small Fire Between Missoula and Lolo [AUDIO]

A small fire, less than an acre in size is currently burning between Missoula and Lolo just off mile marker 86  on Highway 93 South. Fire Information Officer for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Paula Short, says they're calling it the Deadman-Worden fire. Crews from the DNRC are on scene and should have the fire contained this afternoon.

Short says the fire was apparently started by the lightning that rolled through the area last night. She says many times a fire may not break out until several hours or even days after a lightning strike, depending on the moisture content of the fuels. Short says the DNRC and the Forest Service are expecting a very active fire season from August through early October, and reminds visitor to the forest to be very careful with fire.

DNRC Fire Information Officer Paula Short