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Crews Work to Contain Five Fires in Highway 2 Corridor

More than 130 personnel now assigned to fires in highway corridor

By Beacon Staff
Crews work to contain the Lazier Creek Fire near Middle Thompson Lake on July 10, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

The Latest

– The Lazier Creek 3 Fire has burned 1,140 acres near Middle Thompson Lake

– Firefighters continue to improve and construct fireline on south, eastern portions of fire

– Humidity in recent days has allowed fire crews to gain ground on some blazes, but warm dry conditions expected to continue this week

Updated July 12, 9:15 a.m.

Fire crews are working feverishly to contain five fires located in the U.S. Highway 2 corridor as the Lazier Creek 3 Fire continues to burn at more than 1,000 acres.

The lightning-caused blaze near Middle Thompson Lake west of Kalispell is 30 percent contained, according to the Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team.

Helicopters will again offer assistance, and crews working on the north, west, and southwest flanks of the fire will continue to hold and improve the containment line. A crew will also begin assessing buildings in the fire’s vicinity and begin structure protection. Additional Type-1 and Type-2 crews and engines have arrive on scene. As of Wednesday, 135 personnel were assigned to the fires.

The Lazier Creek 3 Fire threatens numerous structures, including the Bend Guard Station, which is under voluntary evacuation along with other nearby structures.

The Rogers Mountain Fire is located north of Loon Lake on U.S. Highway 2, burning at 69 acres, and is 45 percent contained. Firefighters plan to keep laying hose on the north end of the fire to hold the line and start putting out hot spot within the perimeter. Crews on the south end will continue line construction.

The Grubb Fire, located north of Pleasant Valley, burned 15 acres and is now 100 percent contained, with crews finishing mop-up on Wednesday.

The NW Meadow Peak Fire, located east of the North ACM Road near Meadow Peak, is burning 12 acres and is 75 percent contained with mop-up imminent.

The 2645 Fire, located near the Nw Meadow Peak Fire, is burning about 3.5 acres and crews have built a complete perimeter around it.

According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, warm weather is expected to persist through the week, with temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s and the low 100s in places and no rain in the forecast. More thunderstorms are possible on on Saturday, the NWS said.

FIRE MAP, JULY 12

Map of fires as of July 12. Courtesy of the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team.