Baldy wild fire consumes more than 200 acres

Residents of 160 Lakeside homes were encouraged to prepare for evacuation last weekend as a wildland fire spread on Baldy Mountain.

The Baldy Fire, located roughly three miles west of Lakeside, was discovered Saturday evening.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire covered approximately 240 acres on Baldy Mountain between Stoner and Bierney creeks.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said Beth Pargman with the Flathead National Forest.

Flathead County gave voluntary evacuation notices Saturday to residents who live in the Blacktail Road and Bierney Creek Road areas. Residents of about 30 homes had elected to leave as of Sunday evening.

The notice, which was a warning for residents to be prepared to evacuate in the near future if conditions warranted, was lifted Monday night.

The fire was considered to be 100 percent contained as of Tuesday.

Anticipated moisture and cooler temperatures later in the week were expected to help fire fighting efforts.

Residents throughout the area will continue to see smoke and firefighters will remain working to maintain the line around the fire, said Denise Germann with the Flathead National Forest.

The fire is under the command of Flathead National Forest and Flathead County. Numerous agencies have been involved with fighting the fire including the volunteer fire departments of Bigfork, Somers/Lakeside and Whitefish.

Three helicopters and two air tankers bombarded the fire with water and retardant drops throughout Sunday and as needed Monday.

No structures have been lost. Flathead County has been providing structure protection and positioning fire engines and other emergency vehicles or personnel near threatened buildings.

Pargman said the fire was unusual for this time of the year. The area is considerably drier than normal.

"Usually there has been measurably more precipitation by now," Pargman said.

Public meetings were held both Sunday and Monday evenings to report on the situation and answer questions.

Residents have been encouraged to be "firewise" and prepare properties in case of fire. More information on being "firewise" can be found at www.firewise.org.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office set up roadblocks on Blacktail and Bierney Creek roads. Members of the sheriff's office have been helping direct traffic and answer questions in Lakeside.

Sheriff's posse member Pam O'Lexey worked the entrance to Blacktail Road off U.S. Highway 93 on Sunday. She said at least four others like her were out directing people.

O'Lexey said the people of Lakeside have been supportive of those working on the fire. She had numerous residents offer her water and food, including a full pizza.

"Lakeside is trying to drown me with food and water," O'Lexey said.

Watching the fire

Lakeside resident Shawn Salisbury was coming back from Polson on Saturday evening and spotted the smoke. Salisbury, who lives on the top of Wood Acres, went home with his family and packed up important papers and other valuables just in case. He also set a number of sprinklers on his house.

A friend farther up the mountain was asked to voluntarily evacuate. They moved out their boats, horses and children, Salisbury said.

Salisbury watched the fire Sunday near Highway 93 with sons Anthony, Jacob and Dylan Salisbury, who stood in the back of his truck.

"We wanted to see how far it's going to advance," Shawn Salisbury said.

He wasn't the only one out watching the fire.

Numerous residents stopped to watch the smoke from the Baldy Fire on Sunday with onlookers sitting in vehicles and lawn chairs and standing on the side of the road throughout town.

Many locals had their cameras out to document the fire.

One group sat in lawn chairs near their homes on Blacktail Road watching the fire and cheering as those working the fire came down the mountain.

"They've been out all day," Pargman said.