Helicopter crash starts forest fire

The crash of a helicopter near the U.S.-Canadian border Thursday evening sparked a small fire on the Colville National Forest. The helicopter was part of a logging operation near Pierre Lake and the Laurier border crossing. The pilot was transported to a hospital in Colville, and is reportedly “doing fine,” said Franklin Pemberton, a Forest Service spokesman. Initial estimates indicate that about 50 acres is burning in steep, rugged terrain. About 100 firefighters and several pieces of firefighting equipment are on the scene. Fire activity in early May is unusual for the forest, Pemberton said. But the fire is burning through areas where the trees have been thinned, which will aid the suppression efforts, he said. The Forest Service is advising members of the public to stay out of the Pierre/Summit Lake area during the fire. Agency officials may be closing the Pierre Lake Campground. More information and updates will be available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/