UPDATE, Sunday, June 1, 10:30 a.m. - A wildfire that sparked Saturday afternoon near Plains has already grown to more than 200 acres.
The Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District reported that resources were in place all night patrolling structures in the area of the Banana Lake Fire.
The blaze is burning northeast of Plains around the Locust Hill Lane area off Highway 28.
PPRFD shared an update at 3 a.m. Sunday indicating the fire had dropped to moderate behavior, but more activity was expected the following day.
Several agencies were called to the Banana Lake Fire with PPRFD on Saturday including Plains City Fire, Plains City Ambulance, Hot Springs Fire, and St. Regis Fire. The Montana DNRC was also on scene.
The fire is visible from Highways 28 and 200. Fire officials shared Saturday night that Highway 28 has reopened at its junctions with Highways 200 and 382. Drivers are urged to travel with caution as emergency vehicles and fire crews are active on the roads.
While a total size has not been confirmed, officials shared the Banana Lake Fire is at least 200 acres. The fire's cause has not yet been determined.
The Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District planned to share another update Sunday morning. MTN will provide updates as information becomes available.
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1st Report, Saturday, May 31 - Crews responded to a wildfire in Sanders County at 5:20 p.m. Saturday.
The Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District was called out to Locust Lane off Montana Highway 28 northeast of Plains for reports of smoke in the area.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation also responded to the scene as well as Plains City Fire and Hot Springs Fire for mutual aid.
What is being called the Banana Lake Incident by the DNRC has burned three acres since being discovered on Saturday.
No further information is available at this time.
