Fire roars up mountain near Lakeside
SOMERS VOLUNTEER Fire Department firefighter Jeremy Hayes confers with a driver who stopped on the way down Blacktail Road as a fire rages on Baldy Mountain Saturday evening. Nate Chute/Daily Inter Lake
A fire in the Baldy Mountain area above Lakeside Saturday night had fire personnel calling for a voluntary evacuation of Lakeside residents and residents of North Bierney Road.
Denise Germann, public affairs officer for Flathead National Forest, said that the fire had consumed an estimated 40 acres as of 10:15 p.m.
Black smoke spread across Flathead Lake at dusk and the glow of the fire could be seen from Kalispell as it continued to burn late into the night.
The Somers Volunteer Fire Department was the first to respond to the scene after receiving word at about 7 p.m.
"We're managing it under a unified command organization with Flathead National Forest, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Flathead County Sheriff's Department, Somers and Lakeside fire departments, the office of emergency services, and the south Kalispell fire department," Germann said. "Fire departments across the valley are responding. The priority is structural protection."
Germann did not have information at press time on the number of structures threatened by the Baldy Wildland Fire. A number of fire engines, bulldozers and water tenders were on scene.
An unknown number of evacuees were advised to take shelter at Somers Elementary School.
Baldy Mountain, elevation 4,868 feet, is approximately three miles west of Lakeside and north of Blacktail Road.