Burnt Peak, South Yaak fires grow over weekend
A helicopter drops water on the South Yaak Fire on July 23. U.S. Forest Service officials confirmed that Lincoln County Sheriff's deputies had begun evacuation for residents living along Kilbrennan Lake Road. (Will Langhorne/The Western News)
Smoke rises from the South Yaak Fire July 23. U.S. Forest Service officials confirmed that Lincoln County Sheriff's deputies had begun evacuation for residents living along Kilbrennan Lake Road. (Will Langhorne/The Western News)
Containment of the South Yaak Fire inched up to 10 percent as firefighters used lines and burnouts to secure the southern end of the blaze on Sunday.
The fire had reached 1,523 acres as of Monday morning, according to fire management officials. Four crews, three dozers, 10 engines and 174 personnel were working the blaze.
Officials said the fire continued to burn north into steep terrain. Firefighters are working to improve existing perimeter roads to contain the fire. Crews are removing flammable vegetation near homes and fire managers have placed sprinklers and pumps to defend structures in the area.
The South Yaak Fire flared up at the beginning of the weekend after burning vegetation rolled downhill, igniting spot fires that burned back to the main blaze.
The Burnt Peak Fire grew 300 acres on Sunday to 2,715 acres and was 19 percent contained. Officials assigned three helicopters, seven engines, three crews, one dozer and 237 personnel to the blaze. Fire managers said high temperatures and gusty winds helped contribute to its growth. An overnight inversion kept temperatures high and humidity low halfway up the mountains, helping the fire expand.
The majority of the fire activity on the Burnt Peak Fire occurred on the west side. Officials said the blaze made a run uphill to the top of the peak creating a striking smoke column.
Fire managers said the fire would likely continue spreading north and west. Crews would continue to hold the south perimeter of the blaze using the Keeler/Rattle Road. On the east perimeter, firefighters are counting on constructed control lines. To the northeast, firefighters are trying to keep the blaze west of Pony Mountain. Crews will continue bolstering contingency fire lines on the Grouse Mountain ridge.
Officials have protection measures in place for properties near the North Fork of Keeler Creek. Firefighters are prepared to defend the structures if the fire spreads in that direction.
Authorities initiated evacuations for all residents on Kilbrennan Lake Road near the South Yaak Fire. Some residences near the Burnt Peak Fire are on pre-evacuation notices.
Kootenai National Forest officials enacted closures for North Fork Keeler Creek, Keeler/Rattle Creek and Lime Butte roads near the Burnt Peak Fire. East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Cutoff are still closed to the junction with Seventeen Mile Road near the South Yaak Fire.