Lakeside fire in mop-up mode; Copper King smokes up lower end of valley

A fire that sprouted up near Lakeside off Bierney Creek Road is now in the mop-up stage and is expected to be fully contained by Sept. 5. The human-caused Bierney Creek Fire started Aug. 22 two miles west of Lakeside, surrounding some homes and threatening 75 structures.

No structures were lost in the fire as local and regional firefighters pounced on the blaze.

With Flathead Lake nearby, crews were able to get increased air support from helicopters dropping water on the flames.

The Copper King Fire near Thompson Falls is now more than 25,000 acres and has poured smoke into the lower reaches of the Flathead Valley in the past few days.

The Forest Service and four other agencies have issued an access closure area for the Thompson River Drainage and all tributary drainages south of the Historic Bend Ranger Station. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks notes that the area closure effectively closes about 80 percent of hunting district 122 as grouse, black bear and archery seasons are about to open.

The fire was detected July 31 and has been actively burning ever since. It’s on the Lolo National Forest, eight miles east of Thompson Falls and one mile north of Highway 200, moving in a northeast direction.

Evacuation notices remain in effect for 45 residences and 130 residences are in pre-evacuation status.

The weather this week promises to be hot and dry through mid-week, so more smoke is likely.

Firefighters have also been setting burnouts in an attempt to stem the growth of the fire to the north.