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.

Hikers Act Quickly To Control Escaped Campfire On Flathead National Forest

flickr user chb1848 (CC-BY-SA)

Quick thinking by a trio of hikers in the Flathead National Forest may have prevented a forest fire.

On Saturday night, Nicholas Boulle of France, Mike Stephens and Scott Mergenthaler of Kalispell found an unattended campfire that had escaped its makeshift ring near Ashley Lake. Boulle flagged down a law enforcement officer and the group was able to extinguish the fire, says forest spokesperson Janette Turk.

"We need people to pay attention, and this could have prevented something disastrous."

Turk says abandoned campfires are common in the Flathead Valley. It is illegal to build fires outside of designated rings in that area of the Flathead National Forest.

There are currently Stage One fire restrictions in place in the Bitterroot National Forest and Yellowstone National Park, meaning fires are illegal outside of existing metal fire rings.

Nicky is MTPR's Flathead-area reporter.
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