Forest fire ignites just outside Libby

A fire that ignited one-half mile southwest of Libby on Saturday quickly grew to roughly 150 acres in size and prompted officials to warn nearby residents that an evacuation order could be possible.

Although that order never materialized, a number of residents in the Woodway Park area were notified that they may want to prepare to evacuate just in case.

“We were getting reports of hot embers and ash falling in that area from the fire,” said Steve Lauer of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department. “We had a couple water tenders, one Type 6 engine and a couple of structure engines patrolling.”

The fire – dubbed as the Parmenter fire by the U.S. Forest Service – was reported at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday from a fire lookout stationed on Swede Mountain.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. As of Monday morning, the fire was 40 percent contained.

By Sunday, crews and equipment nearly completed a preliminary containment line around the entire fire perimeter. Firefighters installed water tanks and fire hose lays were stretched along the fireline, which was expected to be completed on Monday.

A night shift patrolled the fire on Sunday night and put out several small spots found just outside the containment line.

Helicopters provided support to the ground forces with water drops on areas too hot for firefighters.

Firefighters also responded to a small spot fire on Saturday down from Hemp Hill Road in an area outside planned containment lines.

At last check on Monday, two copters, one aircraft, three engines, five hand crews, two dozers, four water tenders and 95 personnel were working on the blaze.

The Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team under Mark Grant is now overseeing command of the fire.

The Forest Service’s fire danger is categorized as “very high.” Forest users are asked to use extreme caution.