Firefighters were called to lightning-caused fires around the Flathead Valley on Wednesday, and more fires may show up in the next few days.

Storm sparks small fires

A helicopter and firefighters responded to a tree that was burning on Doris Mountain in the Swan Range.

The fire was thought to have been started by a thunderstorm that moved through the Flathead Valley early Wednesday, said Allen Chrisman, fire management officer for the Flathead National Forest.

Another small fire was spotted by a helicopter patrol near Hubbart Reservoir west of Kalispell. Firefighters were trying to reach it by late afternoon Wednesday.

Another fire was reported on Haskill Mountain southwest of Kalispell, but it was not confirmed by late afternoon.

"Of course, with the amount of lightning activity we've had, it wouldn't be unusual for lightning strikes to hold over for a day or two and then show up," Chrisman said.

Wednesday's fires were in areas under protection of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.