Posted: Aug 8, 2012 8:59 AM by Dax VanFossen - KAJ News
KALISPELL- Flathead National Forest officials say lightning storms have sparked two new fires in the Spotted Bear Ranger District.
The Gorge Fire is less than two acres in size and 16 firefighters are on the scene working with two helicopters. Meanwhile, the Burnt Creek Fire only reached a quarter of an acre in size, but has already been controlled.
The largest fire still burning in northwest Montana is the Prisoner Lake Fire with over 3,300 acres burned.
Forest Service spokesperson Wade Muehlhoff expects they may see an increase in fire activity in general over the next few days.
"These fires can pop up weeks after the lightning strikes come through, so everyday we're out flying the forest, trying to see if there's any new starts, and we'll continue to do that, and with the threat of more thunderstorms in the forecast coming up possibly tomorrow, it'd be the same things, every day, afternoon out looking," Muehlhoff explained.
He added that with lightning and high wind warnings, it's a good time for the public to remember to be very careful with their campfires.
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