Bear starts Ravalli fire; Magpie blaze 75% controlled
Local volunteer and CSKT Division of Fire crews quickly extinguished a small grass fire northwest of Ravalli Sunday after a black bear was electrocuted on a power pole and fell to the ground. (CSKT photo)
Western Montana firefighters have a Sanders County wildfire under control and worked to quickly extinguish another started by a bear Sunday.
According to information on the Confederated Salish & Kooteani Tribal Division of Fire’s Facebook page, a small fire was started northwest of Ravalli due to a small bear climbing a power pole.
The bear was electrocuted and fell, starting the fire. In a somewhat ironic twist, Sunday, Aug. 9 was the 76th birthday of Smokey the Bear. The iconic image has been used by the U.S. Forest Service in fire prevention campaigns for generations.
Rural fire departments and the Division of Fire responded and put out the grass fire.
The Magpie Rock Fire containment at 75 percent, according to tribal officials.
The fire, eight miles northwest of Dixon, was listed at 3,539 acres. Sunday, firefighters worked on a heavy mop-up operation and patrolled utilizing engines, water tenders and hose lays.
The incident will continue to release resources as needed.
Weather, Mostly sunny. Chance of rain showers.
One hundred and twelve personnel are assigned to the incident.
There are no evacuation notices nor structures threatened.
To reduce the risk to firefighters and public, the D-6000 road between Revais and Magpie and Magpie D-5000 road are closed.