Winds fan fire burning forest near Rogers Lake

The Daily Inter Lake

A wildfire north of Rogers Lake grew to about 13 acres by late Saturday afternoon, creating a rising smoke plume clearly visible in the Smith Valley area.

Flames were first reported to authorities about 1:30 p.m. Saturday and initial estimates placed the fire, located about seven miles west of Kila, at two or three acres in size.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation responded with two helicopters and a bulldozer, dousing flames from the air as firefighters on the ground worked to contain the blaze.

Firefighters attempted to build a fire line completely around the burned area before darkness fell Saturday, said Smith Valley Fire Chief and incident commander Randy Feller.

"With the weather reports for [Saturday night] and [today], were trying to get a handle on it before the weather event hits," Feller said.

Weather reports are predicting that winds in the Kila area may reach as high as 25 mph.

Burnouts in the area between the fire line and already consumed vegetation were planned for Saturday evening and today, Feller said.

At about 4 p.m., a firefighter was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center via ground ambulance with heat exhaustion and dehydration, but is doing well, Feller said.

A 20-man hand crew from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation was en route Saturday evening from Ronan to watch the fire overnight, Feller said.

About 30 firefighters with the Smith Valley Fire Department, West Valley Fire Department, South Kalispell Fire Department, and Marion Fire Department also responded.

No homes were threatened by the fire, which was burning away from Rogers Lake Road.

Also Saturday, the Gabe Creek fire in the Bob Marshall Wilderness grew to 814 acres.

While the area was under an inversion Saturday morning, hot, dry, and windy weather helped the fire grow significantly Thursday from three to 175 acres.

Located in the Spotted Bear Ranger District of the Flathead National forest about 19 miles northeast of Seeley Lake, the fire is not being suppressed but is being managed for resource benefits.

Fire managers, however, are monitoring the situation and flew over the area Friday.

The fire, which started Aug. 6 from a lightening strike, has forced authorities to close down some hiking trails in the area.