Numerous new lightning-caused fires reported over weekend

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conversation on Sunday evening reported an estimated 34 new lightning-caused fires to have occurred since Friday in its Kalispell, Plains, Swan and Libby Units.The two largest fires are the Tamarack Fire, estimated at 300 acres Sunday, and the Peoples Creek Fire, estimated at 100 acres Sunday.

According to InciWeb (inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5498/), the Tamarack Fire was discovered by a reconnaissance flight about 7:45 a.m. Saturday, when it was estimated to be 10 to 15 acres in size. A Type II incident management team was scheduled to be put in place 10 a.m. Monday. The fire was reported to be burning primarily timber and exhibiting extreme fire behavior Sunday.

The People’s Creek Fire was reported about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Kootenai Interagency Dispatch Center website (www.wildcad.net/WCMT-KDCopen.htm). It was reported to be burning timber and brush.