Campfires spark 2 blazes on area islands

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is asking for people to keep a close eye on their campfires this Labor Day weekend after two wildland fires were caused by out of control campfires Thursday.

The DNRC responded to a pair of island fires Thursday as campfires sparked small blazes on Goose Island in Flathead Lake and a small unnamed island in Ashley Lake. Neither fire grew larger than one-tenth of an acre.

DNRC Fire Prevention Specialist Ernie Nace said the fires were just two of several campfire related fires the agency had battled recently.

With nearly all of the Flathead Valley experiencing very high to extreme fire danger with hot and dry conditions forecasted, campers are reminded to make sure their fires are completely out before leaving them unattended. Nace said that with fire personnel stretched thin throughout the state fighting other fires, preventing campfire-caused fires is an important way that people can keep valuable fire-fighting resources where they can do the most good.