Garcon fire growth slows
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The West Garcon fire is about 8,800 acres, and the latest information from Jennifer Costich, public information officer, estimates containment by Aug. 20.
The fire was 5 percent contained Thursday morning. Rain early Wednesday morning significantly reduced the fire spread, allowing fire retardant drops along the fire perimeter. Ground crews have begun building a fire line to reinforce the retardant, according to Costich.
The fire was reported Monday around 5:45 p.m., and by Wednesday morning, the blaze had whipped through nearly 5,000 acres of private and tribal land, fanned by winds of up to 30 miles per hour. The fire’s cause is still unknown, according to Curtiss Matt of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire. Fifteen area residents were evacuated but returned to their homes Wednesday morning, Matt said.
Firefighters were able to protect all but a couple of outbuildings. The North Idaho Fire Team assumed command of the fire Wednesday, and fire headquarters are at the Polson Fairgrounds. The public is asked to stay out of the area to avoid obstructing firefighter access. Law enforcement has blocked several area roads. CKST Division of Fire; Polson Rural Fire Department; Hot Springs, Ronan and Finley Point fire departments; and CSKT Forest Development all responded to the fire.
