Fire Near Stevensville Expands to 2,000 Acres

HAMILTON – Officials say stiff winds have helped spread a wildfire burning in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness near Stevensville

The U.S. Forest Service says the Kootenai Creek fire expanded from about 900 acres to more than 2,000 acres Tuesday. The blaze burned upslope toward the ridge between Kootenai and Bass creeks. As the fire reached denser fuels, it burned into the crowns of trees and spotted across the canyon south of the creek and trail.

Strong winds continue to push the fire up the north facing slope toward the ridge, and to the east, toward the mouth of the canyon. The wildfire is not threatening any structures or private property and is being allowed to burn.