Fire sparks in Double Arrow Ranch, firefighters knock it down

A small wildfire sparked on the east side of Double Arrow Ranch Wednesday evening, July 19, prompting an initial attack by volunteer, Forest Service, and state firefighters.

The fire, which started near private land by Grandview Drive, only grew to a quarter of an acre. There is no threat to the public at this time. Incident Commander Donovan Suko said the fire’s cause is unknown. The fire did not grow as fast as it could have thanks to help from a Department of Natural Resources and Conservation AirCrane helicopter.

Suko said the AirCrane was doing work at the Colt Fire, a 15-acre fire west of Summit Lake. When reports came in from the Morrell Lookout that there was a new fire, the AirCrane delivered mutual aid by dosing the burn several times.

Two engines with the Forest Service and one with the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District then engaged the fire, knocking down any remaining flames. Suko said the fire will likely be contained by tomorrow, as crews still need to continue to assess the fire.

Suko cautioned residents and visitors to the area about the fire season as the region gets drier and hotter. Missoula County is in high fire danger as of Wednesday, but that might change as an interagency wildfire meeting is happening tonight.

Suko said people should be observant of their surroundings, to abide by local burn bans and to stay away from wildfire activity.

 

Reader Comments(0)