Heat wave causing wildfires
The Clear Creek Fire near Thompson Falls was contained early last week. The blaze broke out on June 28 and burned 60-acres. (Photo courtesy of US Forest Service)
Several fires broke out near Superior last week however all were extinguished quickly with minimal damage to surrounding areas. (Photo courtesy of the Superior Vol. Fire Dept.)
Frenchtown Rural Fire Department responded to several grass fires July 7 and 8 started by a grinding maintenance train. The Montana Rail Link train sprays water on the fires but they were not completely extinguished before they moved on. (Photo courtesy of the Frenchtown Rural Fire Department).
As of July 10, the Lolo National Forest described fire danger as moderate. But as last week’s heat wave quickly dried out grasses, fire danger is on everyone’s mind. The upcoming week’s weather forecast has several thunderstorms announced and lightning strikes could cause wildfires as they roll through the mountains of Mineral County.
Last week the Superior Volunteer Fire Department responded to several brush and grass fires, according to a posted report. On July 3 they were called out to two grass fires. The first was off of Mullan Road East near Superior Meats. Reports indicate it could have been caused by a vehicle chain. The other grass fire was near Brockway Lane and was caused by fireworks.
On July 4, the department responded to a fireworks related brush fire off of Riverside Avenue and on July 7 both the Superior Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service responded to a vegetation fire off of Mullan Road East near Coleman’s Corner approximately 6.5 miles east of Superior at 1:15 p.m. Thanks to the fast response from the fire department all of the fires were extinguished quickly and no structure damage or injuries were reported. There was also a water rescue on July 6 near the bridge off of River Street in Superior. A 14-year-old boy spotted a young girl who was upset because her parents were having trouble getting their raft to the shore. The boy jumped into the river and helped the man get to the shore.
The Frenchtown Rural Fire Department responded to multiple grass fires on July 7 at mile marker 87 on Interstate 90. At approximately 3 p.m. the fires were started by a grinding maintenance train. Within the mile stretch just west of Frenchtown there were eight fires started by the grinder with two fires spreading to nearby grass along the Interstate.
Montana Rail Link has two rail cars full of water and they spray the fires, said Frenchtown Fire Department spokesman Mel Holtz. However, the train crew didn’t get the fires out completely before they moved on. The fire department also responded to two more fires on July 8 and said the grinding train grinds about 15 miles a day and they would be grinding in the Evaro area on Sunday.
The Frenchtown Fire Department also responded to three wildfires reported from lightning strikes in the Nine Mile area on June 26. All of the fires were contained.
Early last week the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced that the 60-acre Clear Creek fire located near Thompson Falls was close to being 100 percent contained. The wildfire burned for nearly five days and started near a logging operation on June 28. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
However, other wildfires have struck Sanders County. One that started on Sunday, July 9, had grown to 400 acres by Monday.
Last reports are that local authorities were evacuating homes and cabins in the Bend Ranger Station area due to the proximity of the Lazier Creek 3 fire. This is north of U.S. 2 and northwest of Happy’s Inn. There is also a 50-acre fire on Rogers Mountain also located several miles northwest of Happy’s Inn.
The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office had also closed the ACM and Thompson River roads from mile marker 18 to U.S. 2.
The Department of Natural Resources Northwest has seen 20 new fires since Friday, July 7, largely due to lighting strikes in the areas of Pleasant Valley, Happy’s Inn, ACM and Fisher River.
The largest fire currently burning in Montana is the July Fire near Malta in Phillips County. The blaze started on July 3 at 4:30 p.m. on the southwest edge of Zortman.
As of July 10, 436 firefighters have it 50 percent contained. A total of 10,622 acres have burned to date and crews hope to have the fire out by July 14.