Lightning-caused fire in Kootenai at 35 acres

Wildfire crews are tending to a lightning-sparked wildfire on the Kootenai National Forest that has grown to about 35 acres.

A holdover fire caused by lightning storms last week was discovered on July 3 in the Lookout Creek Drainage on the Rexford Ranger District, according Willie Sykes, public affairs officer with the Kootenai Forest.

The main South Fork Hill Fire includes multiple small spots outside the fire perimeter. The main fire is lined with machine and hand line. The fires is staffed with three hand crews, local district fire personnel and other overhead totaling 91 people.

Water tenders and heavy equipment are on site, and helicopters are supporting with water bucket drops as needed.

The fire is being managed by Steve Tiegen’s Type 3 Incident Management team.

No big changes in the weather forecast are anticipated, Sykes notes. Temperatures continue to look warm and dry, with no rain and only high clouds in the next 48 hours. Fire managers expect to see holdover lightning spot fires emerge over time from last week’s storm.

“Initial attack efforts have been very successful and the fire is not threatening any structures or communities, the release states.

For additional fire information, contact Eureka Ranger Station at 406-296-2536.