Lakeside fire up to 200 acres

The Daily Inter Lake

Firefighting crews attacked the Baldy Fire near Lakeside on Sunday after the fire had grown to 200 acres.

The fire, which is "in close proximity to structures," according to Denise Germann of the Flathead National Forest, is about three miles west of Lakeside.

Evacuation notices have been issued by the Flathead County Sheriff's Office for Bierney Creek Road, including the Lone Wolf and Bierney Trail areas. The notices warn residents to be prepared to evacuate if conditions warrant.

Three water-dropping helicopters and two retardant-carrying air tankers have been assigned to the fire, along with federal, state and local fire crews and the Chief Mountain Hot Shots.

High winds on Saturday also expanded previously burning fires in Northwest Montana.

The Ninko Creek Fire, which had been 35 acres on Friday, grew to 500 acres on Saturday and is burning toward the area burned in 2003 by the Wedge Fire, about 40 miles north of Columbia Falls

The fire prompted the closure of Forest Roads 318, 9805 and 907 - Whale Creek, Ninko Creek and Wedge Canyon roads.

Smoke also is visible east of Swan Lake from the Lost Creek Fire, a 1,000-acre prescribed fire project. The fire, ignited Sept. 16, continues to burn actively and an additional 60 acres have burned on the divide near Crevice Lake.