Wildfire situation dire across state, West
<p>The Lolo Creek Complex of fires sends up a huge smoke plume Tuesday as the fire makes what one fire official called “a rather spectacular run” that forced more evacuations near Lolo.</p>
LOLO — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock on Wednesday ordered two Army National Guard helicopter teams and 18 checkpoint teams to join firefighting efforts as two fires burning in the state topped the nation’s priority list.
Western Montana’s Lolo Creek Fire Complex, which has burned more than 13 square miles, and the 600-acre Rock Creek fire south of Red Lodge were the No. 1 and No. 2 wildfires on the National Interagency Fire Center’s priority list, center officials said Wednesday.
Both were threatening homes and other structures, with the Lolo fires already destroying five homes and threatening another 1,200.
The 260 firefighters and other personnel assigned to the fires were focused primarily on protecting those structures west of the town of Lolo. Fire engine crews set up hoses to protect several homes as flames pushed down the hillsides.
The Rock Creek fire, which ignited Tuesday, has led to evacuations and the closure of a portion of U.S. 212, a popular route over the Beartooth Pass from Red Lodge to Yellowstone National Park.
“The concern is that if it gets going in any direction ... we’ve got a whole new ballgame,” fire information officer Jeff Gildehaus said.
Bullock, who signed an emergency order Monday allowing the use of National Guard resources to aid firefighting efforts, was sending about 110 guardsmen to the Lolo fires.
They will be placed on active duty for up to 15 days. Replacements will be rotated in if needed, according to Guard officials.
The two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter teams will be stationed at the Montana Department of Natural Resources office in Missoula to provide initial wildfire attacks under that agency’s direction.
The 18 checkpoint teams were to report to their locations at 8 a.m. today to support local authorities at the perimeters established around the fires.
There are 2,400 total National Guard members available to respond, Guard officials said.
A complex of fires burning in and near the Gallatin National Forest was considered the No. 5 priority wildfire, fire center officials said.
The Miner Paradise Complex has burned a combined 11,000 acres, or 17 square miles south of Emigrant and along the Gallatin Crest. The four fires were about 5 percent contained Wednesday, fire officials said.
Incident Team Deputy Cmdr. John Thompson said those fires are going to continue to grow.
“Our weather guy isn’t showing us any relief, except a chance of thunderstorms. We don’t like thunderstorms,” he said.
The Stoner Creek Fire west of Lakeside was expected to be fully contained by Wednesday night, and resources were being released for on other fires in the region.
Crews spent much of the day securing firelines and mopping up on the 105-acre burn. About 20 people will remain over the next few days to patrol the area.
The fire’s conclusion is timely because of other large fires in Montana and the potential for more to emerge.
The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for late today through Friday afternoon for the Kootenai and Flathead national forest and Glacier National Park.
Widespread thunderstorms and gusty, erratic winds are expected.
Other fires continue to burn in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, including the 3,650-acre Damnation Fire and the 79-acre Snow Creek Fire. Fire crews also responded to several small fires Wednesday in and around the Flathead Valley.