August 22, 2006

Two new fires raise concerns

From the Monday, August 21, 2006 online edition of the Daily Inter Lake . . .

Two fires on the Flathead National escaped initial attack efforts after being spotted Monday afternoon and now have potential for considerable growth.

The Holland Peak Fire is in rugged terrain near Rumble Lake on the Swan Mountain range, eight miles southeast of Condon. It was estimated at just under 10 acres by late afternoon.

The Sun Dog Fire, located near the Whitefish Divide about six miles northwest of Moose Lake in the North Fork, was estimated to have covered about 15 acres.

Both fires, which now involve “extended” rather than initial attack efforts, were among about two dozen that were picked up over the last few days in Northwest Montana. The two Flathead fires and most of the others are believed to be “holdovers” from lightning strikes last week.

While smokejumpers were dispatched to the Swan Valley fire, the fire in the North Fork attracted aircraft and about 10 firefighters. The fire is northwest of the area where the 2001 Moose Fire started before going on a 71,000-acre run.

Read the entire article . . .

Posted by nfpa at August 22, 2006 06:29 PM