The Elbow Lake Fire started from a lightning strike and burned 5.9 acres near Elbow Lake in Greenough. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation along with local volunteer firefighters responded Saturday, May 7. They contained the fire that same evening.
GREENOUGH - The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and local volunteer fire departments have responded to five lightning-caused wildfires in the Clearwater/Blackfoot area in the wake of a widespread lightning storm Thursday, May 5, All of the fires were less than an acre except for one near Elbow Lake that grew to 5.9 acres.
The five fires included: Ashby Creek, 0.1 acres; Garnet Range Road, 0.1 acres; Boot Tree Road, 0.1 acres; Elbow Lake, 5.9 acres and Snowmass, 0.5 acres.
"After discovery, fires were suppressed relatively quickly," wrote DNRC Fire Unit Supervisor Cory Calnan in an email to the Pathfinder. "Fuel moistures are running average for this time of year but things can dry out quickly with high temps and low relative humidity in the afternoons."
The call for the Elbow Lake fire came in around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Three DNRC engines, two Greenough/Potomac Volunteer Fire Department engines and one DNRC tender responded. Upon arrival, the fire was creeping and smoldering. Crews had the fire contained by dark. Firefighters returned Sunday to extinguish any hot spots and monitor it.
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