Wildfire in Canyon Creek quickly contained

A small human-caused fire about five miles north of Columbia Falls in the Canyon Creek area was quickly contained and controlled Aug. 11 by fire crews.

The Flathead National Forest fire danger remains rated as high. As hot August days continue, fuels are drying out and a careless act could have serious consequences, forest officials warn.

Two fires in the eastern portion of the Flathead National Forest continue to burn.

The Prisoner Lake Fire is active at almost 4,000 acres and the Condon Mountain Fire is sitting at 900 acres.

The Elbow Pass Fire Complex, located primarily in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, is at 17,454 acres.

All three fires are lightning caused. Forest officials have closed trails near the fires for public safety.

The fire danger in the Flathead Forest is considering high.

The Prisoner Lake Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The fire is being managed for suppression and is most active to the north moving toward Molly Creek.

A type three incident management team has taken over command of the Condon Mountain Fire. With continued hot weather it is expected that the fire will exhibit significant growth.

Crew performed aerial ignitions to corral the southeastern area of the fire. Firefighters are focuses on the north flank of the fire in the Dog Creek drainage holding containment lines. Crews are expected to use backfires to reduce fuels.

Made up of four different lightning ignitions last month, the Elbow Pass Complex continues to burn in the Lewis and Clark forest. Fire crews plan to continue structure protection and will attempt to keep the fire from moving further into the Benchmark Corridor.

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