Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Wildfire, fire management and air quality news for western Montana and the Northern Rockies.

Firefighters Work To Contain Small Wildfire Near Arlee

Grass fire. Stock photo.
iStock
Grass fire. Stock photo.

A small wildfire that was discovered Monday on the Flathead Reservation is now being called 80 percent contained. Responders say the blaze was sparked by lightning either Sunday or Monday.

The wildfire burned just two and a half miles northwest of Arlee. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire and local firefighters were able to contain 20 percent of the blaze shortly after responding Monday evening.

Division of Fire Spokesperson C.T. Camel says no structures were threatened and the fire burned mostly grasslands.

“There’s a couple engines on it and also an eight-man hand crew that secured the line with a burnout operation in the evening. It got to 24 acres. Three-quarters of it was in grass and the other quarter was in timber.”

A handful of fires have broken out on the reservation so far this year, but all were under an acre. Currently the fire danger is rated "moderate," but with little to no rain in the forecast over the next 10 days, that rating is likely to become "high."

Get the latest wildfire, fire management and air quality news for Western Montana and the Northern Rockies, on your radio during our morning and evening newscasts, via podcast, or in your inbox each day.

Aaron graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism in 2015 after interning at Minnesota Public Radio. He landed his first reporting gig in Wrangell, Alaska where he enjoyed the remote Alaskan lifestyle and eventually moved back to the road system as the KBBI News Director in Homer, Alaska. He joined the MTPR team in 2019. Aaron now reports on all things in northwest Montana and statewide health care.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content