Rain a helping hand to crews working Wolf Syrup Fire

A helicopter drops water on the Wolf Syrup Fire Thursday, June 19, 2024, southeast of Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Heavy smoke comes off the smoldering Wolf Syrup Fire Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Lincoln County. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

A helicopter rises above the tree line to dump water on the smoldering Wolf Syrup Fire Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Lincoln County. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

by SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER
The Western News | June 24, 2025 7:00 AM

More than 150 firefighters fought Northwest Montana's second-largest wildfire of 2025.

The blaze was reported on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18, just north of the banks of Wolf Creek between Baucus Creek and Syrup Creek Road, 22 miles southeast of Libby.

Montana Department of Natural Resources fire officials said the fire size was about 140 acres Sunday afternoon following more accurate on-the-ground mapping. The cause is currently undetermined.

Fire officials said the containment was at 88%

At the height of the fire, 158 personnel worked the blaze along with 10 engines, two helicopters, four hand crews, three water tenders, two excavators and two dozers on the scene. As of Sunday, there were 73 personnel; five engines, two hand crews, one water tender and one excavator.

Command of the fire was transitioned back to the DNRC Libby Unit Sunday evening. Libby Unit personnel will monitor the area over the coming days to ensure full containment and prevent any potential reignition. Smoke may still be visible as isolated pockets of unconsumed fuel smolder.

Fire officials said Friday a containment line was established around the entire perimeter of the fire, constructed using a combination of handline and heavy equipment. Helicopters provided aerial support, dropping water along the fire’s edge to cool hot spots and reinforce containment line.

Friday's work was to include mop-up operations, working up to two chains, or 132 feet, inside the fire perimeter, using hose lays and water tenders to extinguish hot spots and secure the fire line.

Mountain Men tv show's Paul Antczak, who lives in the area, posted June 18 on social media, "Fire to my southwest about a mile. Wind pushing it towards my property. DNRC is on the way. Railroad is concerned. Could be a long night."

The Wolf Syrup Fire is being managed by a Type 3 Incident Commander under a full suppression strategy. DNRC, Libby Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service and CSKT engine crews were working with heavy equipment to construct control lines around the fire perimeter.

Three helicopters worked the fire Wednesday, dropping water along the fire’s edge to cool hotspots and strengthen containment lines until hose lays are established. Fire activity was initially active, with single and group tree torching and spotting in heavy timber.

Fire crews also got some help from a front that dropped temperatures substantially and provided rain that fell from Friday through the weekend.

The Banana Lake Fire in Sanders County, just a few miles outside of Plains and first reported May 31, is the biggest fire of the region in 2025 with 833 acres burned. It has been contained.

The Wolf Syrup Fire is the second blaze in the Kootenai region this year. The Lower Weigel Fire burned 102 acres and was also just off Wolf Creek Road, but about 10 miles northeast of Wolf Syrup.

The National Weather Service is predicting a return to daytime high temperatures in the 80s and nighttime lows in the mid 40s. A slight chance of rain is called for Wednesday through Saturday.

Heavy smoke comes off the smoldering Wolf Syrup Fire Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Lincoln County. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

A helicopter rises above the tree line to dump water on the smoldering Wolf Syrup Fire Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Lincoln County. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)