From Ovando to Lolo, fires spark to life on Lolo National Forest

Several fires flared up on the Lolo National Forest on Monday afternoon, coming to life under a steady breeze two days after a severe thunderstorm rolled through the region.

Visible from Missoula, the Lolo Peak fire was burning in remote terrain near the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness at high elevation, spokesman Boyd Hartwig said Monday evening.

“Fire managers are developing long-term plans to manage and take action on this fire if needed,” Hartwig said. “The fire is not threatening structures or property, and there are currently no closures in place.”

Hartwig said smoke from the fire would likely remain visible for several days.

While the Lolo Peak fire garnered much of the attention Monday due to its visibility, the Lolo National Forest directed most of its resources to the Sunrise Fire, located roughly 10 miles south of Superior on the Ninemile Ranger District.

Hartwig said a hotshot crew along with four aircraft had been assigned to the incident Monday evening, including a heavy air tanker and three helicopters. Two additional aircraft were on order, he said.

Other fires reported Monday include the Burdette fire, burning roughly nine miles southeast of Tarkio, or two miles east of the South Fork of Fish Creek, also on the Ninemile Ranger District.

“It (the fire) showed minimal activity today,” Hartwig said. “Retardant was dropped on the fire yesterday to check fire growth.”

A fourth fire was also reported on the Seeley Lake Ranger District, roughly 17 miles north of Ovando. That fire – the Monahan fire – was burning near the wilderness boundary.

The Slide Rock fire, which started last week near Rock Creek, had grown to 170 acres by Monday evening, Hartwig said.