Wildfires smolder

The Daily Inter Lake

Last week's wildfires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness have now been reduced to the "smoldering" stage, according to Flathead National Forest public affairs officer Denise Germann.

"We were planning to go to Stage II restrictions on Monday, but because of the recent moisture and cooler temperatures, we have decided Saturday to continue with Stage I restrictions, instead, and continue monitoring the resources to determine if and when further restrictions are needed," she said. "We have had good moisture across the forest."

Stage I restrictions allow campfires with concrete or metal fire rings in designated sites.

Germann said that several abandoned campfires have been found in recent weeks and that it's important for campers to make sure their fire is "dead out" before they walk away from it.

Germann said that the 3,550-acre Kelly Point fire south of Spotted Bear, is currently more than 30 percent contained and that the 100-acre Limestone Peak fire, 20 miles east of Spotted Bear, is more than 15 percent contained.

The 896-acre Camp 32 fire southwest of Eureka was also under control by Saturday morning.