Brush fire spreads to burn more than three acres

By Kyle McClellan Western News

A land caretaker lost control of a brush fire Monday and it eventually spread to three acres before Libby Fire Department and the Forest Service Fire Department could contain it, said Bill Watt, Assistant Chief of Libby Fire Department.

The fire came within a couple hundred feet of homes, Watt said. Crews headed to the fire near 1318 Bobtail Road around 4:40 p.m. The last unit of Libby Fire Department didn't leave the scene until about 9:30 p.m.

"Accidents happen," Watt said. "The wind came up and caught it and it just took off."

Watt's crews performed their initial attack on the fire, running wet lines and containment, before releasing control to the National Forest Service Fire Department.

Eight firefighters from Libby were initially involved before transitioning command to 13 forest service firefighters, who have ultimate protection of area wild lands.

National Forest dispatcher Mickey Carr said the southern edge is getting dry and those who burn piles of brush should be careful.

Carr said four fires have already burned near Eureka, though this is the first for Libby.