Two small fires sparked recently in the Bitterroot National Forest. Todd McKay said thankfully, crews caught both fires early and remain relatively small in size.
Plumes of smoke can be seen throughout the national forests throughout the spring, as officials use fire as a tool to protect habitat and forestall greater danger during the upcoming fire season.
Today the U.S. Forest Service awarded three companies exclusive contracts to provide seven Next Generation Airtankers for fighting forest fires. One of those companies resides close by.
Mineral County and parts of Missoula County underwent new fire evacuations this past weekend as the West Fork Fish Creek Fire continued to grow to over 12,000 acres. But within the past 48 hours, fire information officer Kim Smolt said clear skies have finally led firefighters to get eyes on the fire for the first time since the fire started.