Crews gain ground on Highway 2 wildfires

Crews are making progress on five separate wildfires burning along the Highway 2 corridor west of Kalispell.

With 237 personnel on the scene, the lightning-caused fires are burning in timbered areas.

Fire information officer Erin Fryer said Wednesday’s cooler temperatures and higher humidity allowed crews to make headway on building fire lines.

“There hasn’t been a lot of active behavior,” Fryer said. “It’s going through underbrush, but there’s been no tree torching. It’s quiet out there today.”

The largest of the five fires, the Lazier Creek 3 Fire has charred 1,140 acres and was 30 percent contained as of Wednesday morning. Located south of Highway 2 and west of Thompson River Road, about 15 structures are threatened including the Bend Guard Station and some cabins.

Firefighters are working to improve and construct fire line on the south and eastern portions of the area. A helicopter base is set up near Marion, providing aerial assistance with bucket drops from various lakes.

The Rogers Mountain Fire, located north of Loon Lake, is at 69 acres and is 45 percent contained. Firefighters on Wednesday were laying hose on the north end of the fire to hold the line and begin extinguishing hot spots. Crews on the south end were tasked with hand line construction.

The Northwest Meadow Peak Fire is 12 acres and 75 percent contained. The fire line is complete and mop up is underway. The nearby 2645 Fire is 3.5 acres and line construction is complete.

Fryer noted that Thompson River Road is closed at the junction with Highway 2 south to the 17 mile bridge. The N. ACM Road remains open but drivers are advised to be cautious of increased traffic in the area.

Hot temperatures and lower relative humidity are forecast to return to the area through the upcoming weekend.