Fast-moving Montana blaze forces evacuation

Wed., July 26, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Idaho wildfires still burning

BOISE – Wildfires continue to burn in rough, forested terrain throughout the mountains of central Idaho.

The Arco fire, six miles north of Arco, has spread to 375 acres. Fire managers worried the blaze could threaten bighorn sheep habitat and trails.

Officials believe the fire was human-caused.

Firefighters were making progress on the Quartz Creek fire, burning near the isolated Salmon Mountains town of Yellow Pine.

On Monday, crews had cut trenches around 40 percent of the blaze.

In the Sawtooth National Forest, about 10 miles west-southwest of Stanley, the Trailhead Fire threw flames that ignited a few small spot fires.

Crews there are up against rugged mountain conditions, but have cut a line around 45 percent of the fire.

The Elkhorn fire, burning in high elevation timber stands about 25 miles north of Salmon in the Salmon Challis National Forest, was 60 percent contained.

FLORENCE, Mont. – A fire that started east of here Tuesday afternoon spread quickly, destroyed a trailer house and led to the evacuation of seven or eight homes, fire information officials said.

“I can confirm that one residence was lost,” Jamie Kirby, fire information officer for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, said Tuesday night.

The Woodchuck fire, burning a mile east of Woodchuck Pond, was reported midafternoon, had burned 350 acres by 9:30 p.m. and was still growing, DNRC officials said.

“Twenty-four structures were immediately threatened, and evacuations were taking place at 6 p.m.,” said Dixie Dies, a public information officer with the Bitterroot National Forest.

Kirby said the fire was torching and crowning, with spot fires burning as far as one-quarter mile away from the main blaze.

“The spots are growing really quickly,” she said. “I would consider this a fire with a lot of capacity.”

A red flag warning was issued for sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph, with stronger gusts possible.

Four helicopters, numerous state, local and private fire engines and a bulldozer were on scene. More help has been ordered.

Russell Fox, a forestry consultant who lives near Granite Creek, said he watched as the fire blew up from a “trickle” to one with flames 60 to 80 feet high.

“It’s as dry as it was in 2000,” he said, “if not drier.”

Fox and his wife, Shelagh, are ready to evacuate, along with four horses, three dogs and a cat.

Some residents reluctantly left their homes, but one man refused to leave, even as the fire burned right past his house.

Missoula County Undersheriff Mike Dominick said there’s not much they could have done.

“We’re not going to arrest anyone,” he said. “One guy refused to leave. We understand people wanting to protect their homes and property. But it’s just not worth it when the fire is out of control. A garden hose isn’t going to help them. It’s an act of God.”

An incident management team from North Idaho was expected to arrive in Missoula on Wednesday morning for a briefing and is expected to assume management of the fire about six miles east of Florence on Wednesday or Thursday.

The American Red Cross set up a shelter for evacuees at the Florence Carlton School. Those who did not need a place to stay were still asked to check in there.

Preliminary investigation indicates the fire was human-caused.

In Eastern Oregon, a lightning-sparked wildfire was threatening 60 homes Tuesday.

The McLean Creek fire, located just west of the Snake River, has burned 1,500 acres of grass and timber since it ignited Sunday. No evacuations have been ordered for residents in Pine Creek, where the threatened homes are located.

The fire is also burning along a stretch of Highway 86 near Halfway.