Two new fires raise concerns

Two fires on the Flathead National escaped initial attack efforts after being spotted Monday afternoon and now have potential for considerable growth.

The Holland Peak Fire is in rugged terrain near Rumble Lake on the Swan Mountain range, eight miles southeast of Condon. It was estimated at just under 10 acres by late afternoon.

The Sun Dog Fire, located near the Whitefish Divide about six miles northwest of Moose Lake in the North Fork, was estimated to have covered about 15 acres.

Both fires, which now involve "extended" rather than initial attack efforts, were among about two dozen that were picked up over the last few days in Northwest Montana. The two Flathead fires and most of the others are believed to be "holdovers" from lightning strikes last week.

While smokejumpers were dispatched to the Swan Valley fire, the fire in the North Fork attracted aircraft and about 10 firefighters. The fire is northwest of the area where the 2001 Moose Fire started before going on a 71,000-acre run.

Soon after the Sun Dog Fire was reported, aircraft were being diverted from the Kootenai National Forest, along with aircraft from the Flathead Forest. Three 20-person crews had been dispatched to the fire by late afternoon.

"We're doing water drops as well as retardant drops," Germann said. "And we've asked for additional [ground] crews to help."

The two fires on the Flathead are not, however, the biggest to emerge in recent days. The Ulm Peak Fire, located about 12 miles southwest of Noxon near the Idaho-Montana border, quickly grew to an estimated 150-200 acres Sunday. And a 50-acre fire is burning near Idaho's Priest Lake.

Meanwhile, there are still about 13 small "resource benefit" fires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, most of which have shown little activity in recent days. The largest is the Jenny Creek Fire at less than 200 acres, burning at the southern end of the wilderness.

With grasses, shrubs and other fine fuels continuing to cure and more lightning in the forecast this week, local fire officials were urging the public to be even more cautious to reduce the potential for human-caused fires.

Over the last week, there have been several fires "suspected to be from abandoned campfires, discarded cigarettes and incidents related to agricultural activities and huckleberry picking," a multi-agency press release states.

Rural fire departments are picking roadside fires, and they report that there is continued fireworks activity that is prohibited under fire restrictions that were imposed across the region last month.

The restrictions also prohibit campfires outside of developed recreation areas and smoking in areas that do not have a three-foot clearance of flammable material.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com