Firefighters are responding to a lightning caused fire on Saturday not far from the Bitterroot Flat Campground in the Missoula Ranger District.

Lolo National Forest spokesman Boyd Hartwig said on Monday, that the fire was at about 20 acres in size, located approximately 20 miles south of I-90 on the west side of Rock Creek and Rock Creek Road.

"We've got two helicopters and two 20-person crews fighting the fire right now," Hartwig said. "We could have additional folks coming in as well. It's being managed mostly with helicopters and water drops in pretty steep terrain. It's not threatening anything at the moment, but fire officials are going to look at it and develop a long-term strategy on how to contain it."

Hartwig said the fire is burning on mid and upper slopes within scattered timber and rocky scree. Smoke is likely to be visible today to some Rock Creek residents and to vehicle traffic on Rock Creek Road.

Lolo National Forest Spokesman Boyd Hartwig

 

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