Hundreds of lightning strikes sparked six new wildfires across the Flathead National Forest, with firefighting crews responding to all six starts amid spotty precipitation and strong winds.
Additional storm activity continued Sunday morning.
The six fires — Adams, Trixie, Russky, Meadow, Lupine, and Camp Creek — vary in size and containment status.
Adams Fire
The Adams Fire is located on Adams Mountain in the Good Creek drainage, burning approximately 7.4 acres in heavy timber and blowdown.
A Type 1 helicopter is providing bucket support to ground crews. Engines, one Type 2 initial attack 20-person crew, and heavy equipment are on scene.
Trixie Fire
The Trixie Fire is located in the Good Creek drainage and is burning approximately 1 acre.
Interagency initial attack response includes several engines, equipment, and fire personnel. A Type 3 helicopter has been ordered for bucket support.
Russky Fire
The Russky Fire is located on top of the Whitefish Divide, about 5 miles west of Red Meadow Lake, burning approximately 0.1 acre.
Montana DNRC fixed wing reported the fire, with a helicopter rappel crew providing initial attack response.
Meadow Fire
The Meadow Fire is located 3 miles south of Tally Lake and is burning approximately 0.1 acre.
An interagency initial attack response with West Valley Fire Department successfully contained the fire. One engine is currently engaged in mop up.
Lupine Fire
The Lupine Fire is located in the Griffin Creek area, north of Little Bitterroot Lake, and is burning approximately 0.1 acre.
An interagency initial attack response with Montana DNRC and Marion Fire Department successfully contained the fire. One engine is currently engaged in mop up.
Camp Creek Fire
The Camp Creek Fire is located on the Spotted Bear Ranger District in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, northeast of Jumbo Lookout above the Danaher drainage.
The Jumbo Lookout reported the fire Friday afternoon with an initial size estimate of 0.1 acre, with isolated torching and rapid growth. Smokejumpers and local firefighters were inserted for initial attack, joined by ground crews.
The fire made a short crown run, increasing in size to over 50 acres. Fire behavior was active with short-range spotting, making suppression efforts challenging. The fire remained active overnight, growing to approximately 77 acres as of Saturday afternoon.
The public is asked to remain outside of all fire areas for firefighter and public safety.
