Kootenai region under red flag warning

The Kootenai region is under a red flag warning through Friday night as weather forecasters predict gusty winds and low humidity.

The National Weather Service issued the warning Thursday morning. It is predicting west winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts of 25 to 35 mph. With minimum humidity levels between 7 and 15%, the combination is ripe for extreme fire conditions.

“It’s the worst fire weather of the season so far here,” Kootenai National Forest Fire Manager Officer Dan Rose said. “We’re really concerned about the East Fork Fire and what could happen if the weather predictions are true.”

The lightning-caused East Fork Fire grew significantly Wednesday, according to forest officials. It’s listed at 1,550 acres with 40% containment. The fire, burning heavy timer and subalpine fir, is located 12 miles south of Trego and has burned into the Tally Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest. There is a closure order on the Fortine Ranger District for roads in the vicinity of the fire. They include Forest Roads 315, 3520, 3512, 3710 and 3729.

For more information on the East Fork Fire, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtknf-east-fork-fire.

Rose said the smoke that has enveloped the region is the result of fires burning in Canada, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality alert for several counties, including Lincoln, Sanders, Mineral and Flathead.

The air quality alert is in effect until 12 p.m. on Friday. Particulate levels in Libby and Thompson Falls were listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The National Weather Service said periods of haze and smoke are likely through at least Friday, possibly degrading air quality at times in western Montana and northcentral Idaho.

Rose also thanked and urged residents and visitors to continue their vigilance in following stage 2 fire restrictions.

Forecasters are predicting a 30% chance of rain after midnight Saturday and a chance of rain on Sunday. Temperatures are supposed to moderate Friday with a high in the low 90s and down to the mid 80s from Sunday to Tuesday.

Locally, fire crews used engine, hand and aerial crews to get two fires extinguished. The Ski Run and Silver Butte Pass fires, both lightning-caused, were one-half acre or less.

The Gravel Pit Fire, near Silver Butte, is listed at 304 acres and 80% contained on Thursday morning. The evacuation warning for residents in the area was lifted on Aug. 14.

Western Montana All Hazards Incident Commander Ken Parks wrote that while fire behavior is low with smoldering and creeping, the potential exists for more fire behavior with hot, dry conditions.

Firefighters are doing the most physical aspects of their work in the morning, due to the hot weather.

“To address this, engines will patrol the fire area and seek out any sources of heat,” Parks wrote. “Engines and crews will remain ready for initial attack and respond to new fire starts in the area.”