5-acre fire crops up along Whitefish Lake

A small wildfire on the north end of Whitefish Lake drew a quick response Saturday afternoon.

The North Lake Fire, initially estimated at 5 acres, was first reported at approximately 1 p.m. It was burning north of Delray Road near Swift Creek. A number of homes and structures are within the vicinity of the incident.

Firefighting resources, including a helicopter, responded at about 2 p.m. Rain showers moved over Whitefish at about 4 p.m. No information was available on containment or what caused the fire.

Meanwhile, the Colt Fire north of Seeley Lake, the state’s largest active wildfire, was estimated at 5,475 acres on Saturday. Approximately 570 firefighters were assigned to the incident on the Lolo National Forest. Containment was estimated at 3%.

The Big Knife Fire east of Arlee was estimated at 721 acres on Saturday. About 230 firefighters were working the fire.

Several homes were put into an evacuation warning Friday. Canal Road, from Mountain Home Road to the Jocko Canyon Road, remained closed. 

Northwest Montana entered stage 1 fire restrictions on Saturday.

The fire rules affect the Flathead and Kootenai forests, Glacier National Park, and land managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, as well as Flathead, Lake and Sanders counties.

Stage 1 restrictions prohibit campfires, as well as smoking except within a vehicle or building, or a developed site that is clear of flammable material. People can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed for up to six months for violating the restrictions, and be held liable for all suppression costs and damages if a fire is started.

Some private landholders enacted restrictions as well. No campfires are allowed on land owned by Southern Pine Plantation, Stimson Timber, Stoltze Timber, Green Diamond or Flathead Ridge Ranch.