Rain Helps Contain Montana Wildfire

A little bit of rain and a lot of humidity crippled the Rogers Mountain Fire Saturday, and firefighters were preparing to demobilize.

“We’re looking at 100 percent containment by (Saturday night), and 100 percent control” by today, said Diana Enright, a fire information officer.

While 30 mph wind gusts pumped the fire overnight, Enright said just enough rain fell - 0.1 inches - to calm the 600-acre blaze Saturday.

Even more fortunate, Enright said, humidity levels stayed unnaturally high through the afternoon.

“When it’s damp like that, the grass does not carry the fire as well.”

The fire started as a slash burn of logging debris last Sunday on Plum Creek Timber Co. property about 50 miles west of Kalispell.

Enright said Plum Creek would be liable for the total cost of the firefighting effort, about $450,000.

The state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is set to begin monitoring the blaze with a reduced crew on Monday.

Enright did not know when the campground in Logan State Park would be reopened to the public.