Cool weather helps dampen area fires
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POLSON – A week of cooler temperatures combined with rain and snow at high elevations impacted the Liberty Fire last week, and more of the same forecast this week should continue to put a damper on things.
Devlin Lafrombois, a fire prevention specialist with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said that both the Liberty and Black fires southeast of Arlee got a good amount of rain and snow at high elevations last week.
“It’s not going to get any bigger,” he said of the Liberty Fire. Downed timber will continue to smolder until the fire is out.
As of Sunday night, the Liberty Fire was at 28,689 acres with 95 percent of the perimeter contained. There were 197 personnel fighting the fire including 116 from CSKT.
The last report for the Black Fire last week had it at 1,427 acres.
In the Blue Bay Fire, a small crew was monitoring control lines in the Teepee Creek and Okie Draw drainages.
“With all the rain we’re supposed to get this week, it should be pretty much out,” Lafrombois said.
Other area fires
The Rice Ridge Fire east of Seeley Lake was at 160,181 acres as of Monday morning with 61 percent of the perimeter contained. There were 495 personnel fighting that fire.
The Sprague Fire in Glacier National Park was at 16,790 acres as of Sunday night with 60 percent of the perimeter contained. There were 171 personnel fighting that fire, and Going-to-the-Sun Road remained closed from Apgar Village to Logan Pass.
The West Fork Fire seven miles north of Libby was at 18,497 acres as of Sunday night with 33 percent of the perimeter contained. There were 396 personnel on scene.
The Lolo Peak Fire southwest of Lolo was at 53,753 acres as of Monday morning with 69 percent of the perimeter contained and 451 personnel fighting the fire.