Fire sparked by lightning is shut down

The Daily Inter Lake

A lightning-caused fire on Plum Creek Timber Co. land west of Kalispell grew to an estimated 18 acres, but it has been shut down by firefighters.

The fire in Hoffman Draw was only about 5 acres when firefighters first responded Monday afternoon. The fire, visible from parts of Kalispell, attracted a 20-person crew, a helicopter and three engines from the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

By Tuesday afternoon, firefighters were mopping up the burned area.