Lightning causes headache for DNRC

Early Saturday morning a single snag was struck by lighting, causing a small wild-fire to ignite off of Mclaughlin Creek Road, one mile East of Paradise.

Although the fire was contained to approximately one tenth of an acre by local DNRC firefighters, and no injuries or damaged structures occurred, it did cause some commotion in an otherwise slow fire-season.

“It was pretty slow,” said DNRC Fire Supervisor Calvin Minemyer. “We usually average about 30 to 35 fires and I think we’re at about 13.”

The combination of difficult access and the weakened structural integrity of the tree made it too dangerous for the personnel on scene to fall, and the order of a helicopter necessary.

Upon arrival, the helicopter assisted the lone DNRC engine on scene in their fire suppression efforts by making several bucket drops of water.

“It burned about halfway up, and halfway through,” Minemyer said of the 40 inch hazardous snag.

When asked about the potential for fires during the remainder of fire season Minemyer hesitated to speculate, but was confident that the worst has already past. “Normally we have somewhat of a fire season through the end of September, sometimes close into October, but it definitely seems to be on the down-hill slide this year,” said Minemyer.

In fact, the conditions have been so favorable that the DNRC is going to resume issuing burn permits for yard debris burning only. The permits will be necessary throughout the month of September and will only be good for a few days at a time. Those interested should call the Plains DNRC office at (406)-826-3851 for more information.