Wind feeds flames

Chippy Creek Fire creeps northward

Purple haze all in my eyes.

Don't know if it's day or night.

- Jimi Hendrix, 1967

A dirty reddish-blue haze kissed the Flathead's skies Sunday evening - with a pale scarlet sun peeking through.

That haze also carried bits of ash that fell around Kalispell from the Chippy Creek Fire - Montana's largest - which is roughly 26 miles southwest of town.

Most area winds came from the southeast and frequently exceeded 20 mph, which fanned some flames forward and kept others from spreading too fast.

Forecasts of hot, dry, windy weather for this week have firefighters braced for fire movements to speed up.

Here is a rundown of the closest fires:

Chippy Creek Fire

This fire grew from 59,229 acres Saturday to 66,785 acres Sunday evening - 92.5 square miles to 104.4 square miles - bolstered by winds of 20 mph with gusts as strong as 30 mph.

It's northern edge was five miles south of Flathead County's Hubbart Reservoir Sunday with a few flames spotted closer. Movement to the north is expected today.

The fire was 30 percent contained Sunday, compared to 15 percent Saturday.

Firefighters expected to switch from a Type Two management team to a Type One team today, because a Type One team has more people on it. Those extra people are needed to supervise a sprawling fire that is 15 miles long and as many as 8 miles wide.

Although evacuated residents were allowed to return Sunday to Niarada and the northern Lonepine area, they could be ordered to leave again if the flames head back in their direction.

Brush Creek Fire

This fire grew by only 370 acres Sunday to reach a size of 24,640 acres - or 38.5 square miles.

Most of the fire's slight movement Sunday was to the north.

Meanwhile, containment grew from 38 percent to 43 percent. Although 100 percent of the containment lines have been dug, the majority of the lines still await the subsequent burnout operations, spokesmen said.

High winds, hot weather and dry fuel led to canceling burnout operations Sunday. Firefighters are awaiting better conditions before attempting burnout work.

Fire officials said the potential for the fire growing is significant early this week.

Skyland Fire

This fire grew a smidgen Sunday to at least 40,000 acres - almost 63 square miles - as its front wallowed in Blackfeet Reservation grazing lands and the flames tried to flank themselves on the south.

Wind gusts of more than 30 mph hampered firefighters, who did increase containment from 34 percent to 56 percent Sunday, said firefighter spokesman Mike Heilman.

Strong southwest winds have helped keep the fire from moving south into fuel-filled forests. But low humidity, dry wood and high winds are expected to whip the flames into motion during the next few days.