Downed Power Lines Sparks Fire Near Arlee – Tankers and Helicopters Respond [YouTube]
A fast moving fire sparked by downed power lines near Arlee was quickly attacked by several agencies, including the Salish and Kootenai Fire Division, Arlee Fire, the DNRC and the U.S. Forest Service.
Spokesman Devlin LaFrombois said the fire was first reported at about 4:30 on Sunday afternoon on the Flathead Reservation.
"We had what looked like some older power lines that snapped on the top, and the wires fell onto the dry grass and started a fire," LaFrombois said. "The fire right now has been held to about 14 to 15 acres four to five miles southeast of Arlee on the South Couture Loop Road, that heads up into the tribal mountains."
LaFrombois said several agencies responded to the fire.
"We had some engines from Arlee Rural, we had three to four tribal engines and we brought in three helicopters, two single engine aircraft tankers and two heavy aircraft tankers dropping retardant on the fire," he said.
LaFrombois said about 75 to 80 percent of the fire has been lined by dozers and cats. Two 20 man crews will be working on the fire Monday morning using the dozers to surround the fire and continue mopping up.
No structures were threatened by the fire, and no one was injured in the firefighting effort.