Posted: Jun 1, 2010 9:12 AM by Angela Marshall, Mark Thorsell, Andrea Lutz
Updated: Jun 1, 2010 9:12 AM
LOLO - Fire crews will continue mopping up the scene of a wildfire on Sleeman Creek Road Monday.
The fire grew to 10 acres in tough terrain in just a matter of hours on Sunday.
The homeowners tell us they started a controlled burn around 1 o'clock and they thought it was out. But, a little later, they noticed a small fire burning up the hillside next to their house.
The fire worked its way up the hillside quickly and the Missoula Rural and Florence fire departments, along with other agencies, arrived on the scene.
The DNRC worked to contain the edge of the fire with a helicopter well into the night.
The Sleeman Creek homeowners say they did have a permit to burn.
Watch RAW Video from the fire below.
A fire was continuing to burn late Sunday evening on Sleeman Creek Road, off of U.S. Highway 12, in Lolo. As of late Sunday evening, fire crews were still on the scene.
Flames could be seen burning in several trees behind the home where a controlled burn flared up Sunday and began burning up-hill.
Some trees could also be seen burning about half-way up the hill with some spot fire about three-quarters of the way up the hillside.
Missoula Rural fire crews were still on the scene, as was the Missoula County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Forest Service.
A smoky hazy from the fire was settling in on Lolo, with black and gray and smoke billowing over the hill easily visible from U.S. Highway 93 in the center of town.
A helicopter was called in earlier in the day to help douse hot spots and at last check, fire officials said the fire was burning around 10 acres.
LOLO - Fire crews are still trying to contain a wildland fire on Sleeman Creek Road in Lolo. It's grown to about 10 acres and crews tell us its burning toward a mountain ridge and in tough terrain.
The homeowners tell us, they started a controlled burn around 1 p.m. on Sunday, and thought it was out, but a little later noticed a small fire burning up the hillside next to their house.
The fire worked its way up the hillside fast and Missoula Rural fire and Florence fire along with other agencies are on scene. The DNRC is pulling water and working the edge of the fire with a helicopter.
"It's very dry out and fires are taking off quickly even though you see some green, the green is still burning because fuel content and moisture content is minimal and extremely dry," explained Missoula Rural Fire District Fire Captain Damon Almond. "The Wind can pick up and go up a hillside just like it did here and take off so you have to be careful."
The Sleeman Creek homeowner did have a permit to burn.
Missoula Rural tells us that they have called for more fire engines to get the fire contained and add they could be mopping up the fire for the next couple of days.
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