Small fire contained west of Kalispell; large fires threaten Missoula, Helena

A prompt ground and aerial attack quickly contained a small wildfire that cropped up Monday evening northwest of Kalispell.

Five engines along with a helicopter and four single-engine air tankers doused the 1-acre blaze in the area of Rhodes Draw and Bowser Lake. West Valley Fire Department, Montana DNRC, Flathead National Forest and Flathead County crews responded.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation, according to a release from the Montana DNRC. Crews planned to monitor the site over the next few days and people were advised to steer clear of the area.

Northwest Montana fire officials warned that forested areas are drying out across the region amid the heat wave that has gripped the West for more than a week. Temperatures are expected to soar into the upper 90s through the next week as a high pressure strengthens its grip on the Northern Rockies. Dry thunderstorms are a possibility early next week.

In west central Montana, the Miller Peak Fire south of Missoula was estimated at 1,760 acres with no containment as of Tuesday. About 130 firefighters were working on the incident that threatened 134 structures. Evacuation warnings were in place for residents on a portion of Upper Miller Creek Road.

Near Helena, the Horse Gulch Fire grew to more than 13,000 acres. Nearly 600 firefighters on the scene had achieved 10% containment as of Tuesday. Approximately 400 structures were threatened, but none had been destroyed. The cost to fight the fire was estimated at $8.1 million.

In southeast Montana, the Prairie Fire had burned more than 31,000 acres as of Tuesday. The complex is in Rosebud and Big Horn counties.