Lightning storm starts small wildfires

The Flathead National Forest reports that a storm creating 139 lightning strikes on the night of Tuesday, July 28, ignited several small wildfires.

Fire managers from the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Flathead County had elevated the posted fire danger to “High” based on a weather forecast calling for 10 days of hot afternoon temperatures and possible dry thunderstorms.

Local area fires as of Wednesday afternoon include:

• The Akinkoka Peak Fire is located up the North Fork near Whale Creek and was about 3-5 acres. A hot shot crew was on the way to that fire.

• The Moose Creek Fire is located just south of the Ford Cabin in the North Fork. Glacier National Park crews performed an initial attack and put the fire out.

• The Bear Creek Fire is located north of Whitefish Lake and is estimated at a quarter of an acre. An engine from the Tally Lake Ranger District and an engine from DNRC responded to that fire.

• A pilot reported seeing a fire in the southern region of the Bob Marshall Wilderness near Basin Creek Cabin on Trail Creek. Fire spotters flew over the area Wednesday afternoon to get more information.

• Fire crews also responded to small fires up Hay Creek, in the North Fork, and on Wild Bill Mountain, near Kila.

Forest officials remind the public that as the current dry hot weather pattern continues, everyone should use caution with flammable materials. A fire danger rating of high means:

• All fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from any cause.

• Unattended brush and camp fires are likely to escape.

• Fires spread rapidly, and short-distance spotting is common.

• High intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuel.

• Fire may become serious and their control difficult unless they are hit hard and fast while small.