Fire crews jump on fire above Lakeside

Fire crews responded hard and fast to a forest fire spotted above Lakeside, south of Kalispell, on Sunday, Aug. 19. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Stoner Creek Fire reached 100 acres by Monday, burning Plum Creek land along Blacktail Road, which accesses Blacktail Ski Area. The fire was moving east into an area burned by the Baldy Fire in 2009.

Six engines, one bulldozer, two helicopters and 74 firefighters responded quickly to the site and made good progress on the fire’s east flank on Monday. Helicopters filled buckets in nearby Flathead Lake and made quick turn-arounds.

By Tuesday, Aug. 20, the fire was still 100 acres in size, and firefighters were building direct hand lines and mopping up as appropriate. Helicopters continued to drop buckets of water on hot spots.