Kootenai National Forest fires growing

A number of lightning-caused fires in the Kootenai National Forest are enough cause for concern that the Northeast Kootenai Complex was designated to coordinate attacks on the five major fires.

Shawn Pearson’s Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team is taking control of the complex management.

The Marston, Barnaby, Sunday, Weigel and Dunn fires are burning around Lincoln County, but so far are not threatening structures, said public information officer Tom Rhode.

The largest of these is the Marston Fire, which has grown to more than 1,500 acres and has caused a shut down of several square miles directly north of U.S. 93 off Dickey Lake.

The Marston Fire is near Trego and about 15 miles southeast of Eureka. It currently has about 100 personnel fighting it.

“The crews are primarily working to create a fuel break line on the southwest side of that fire — the side nearest the valley,” Rhode said. “They are working to secure a line in the Deep Creek Area.”

The Sunday Fire, burning south of Murphy Lake, has expanded to 150 acres and is zero percent contained. Crews are working to create a line around the fire.

Two fires near Libby, the Weigel and Dunn fires, have grown to 100 acres and 74 acres respectively. They are 50 percent contained, Rhode said.

The Barnaby Fire is only five acres, but is in rugged terrain north of Eureka. A crew is packing in to fight that.

The Northeast Kootenai Complex has 224 total personnel, four crews, 16 engines, seven dozers and two helicopters are assigned to the fire.

Reporter Ryan Murray can be reached at 758-4436 or rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.