Clear Creek Fire burning west of Thompson Falls

Fire crews from the National Forest Service and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) are battling a fire in the Clear Creek Area west of Thompson Falls.

According to Lolo National Forest spokesperson John Hamilton, the fire began in a logging area around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Sixteen firefighters from the National Forest Service and DNRC were on scene by 6:00 p.m. and were assisted by a helicopter. The crew stayed on scene overnight as were assisted by additional resources Thursday morning.

According to Hamilton, there were 50 crew memberes fighting the fire Thursday morning with two engines from the NFS and an additional engine from DNRC. Two helicopters have also been assigned to the fire.

Light rain overnight and cooler weather on Thursday leads fire managers to believe that the fire will be contained sometime Thursday.

The fire is located along Forest Road 302. The road has been closed and the Forst Service asks the public to avoid the area until operations cease.