Activity limited on Garceau Fire

Despite warmer weather and clear skies, burning activity was limited on the West Garceau Fire Thursday.

The fire was detected Monday evening about 15 miles west of Polson, and on Tuesday it exploded to an estimated 8,800 acres, driven by high winds.

“It’s much better behaved than it was Tuesday, but we expect to see more active fire as it becomes warmer and drier over the next three days,” fire information officer Jennifer Costich said Thursday afternoon.

The fire initially burned through grasslands, but now it is most active in forest fuels.

“They’ve been hitting it hard with retardant and water drops and we are starting to get more resources, more crews and equipment trickling in,” Costich said.

No structures are imminently threatened, and there have been no pre-evacuation notices, but six structures have been listed as being potentially threatened within the next 24 to 48 hours.

There are at least 120 people working on the fire, along with several engines, two single engine air tankers, a helicopter and a variety of heavy equipment.

The Associated Press reported that a fire crew from Connecticut was being dispatched to the West Garceau Fire.