Rain, humidity help slow area fires
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POLSON – Light precipitation, increased humidity and lack of direct sunlight on Aug. 23 produced a marked slowing of fire activity in the Blue Bay and Liberty fires.
Fireline explosives were used Sunday on the Blue Bay Fire to complete containment lines along the fire’s northern edge, according to information from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s Division of Fire.
That fire was at 490 acres as of Monday morning with 60 percent containment.
Helicopters continue to drop buckets of water on the Teepee Creek drainage, and the B-2000 and B-2200 roads remain closed.
Liberty, Black fires
As of Monday morning, the Liberty Fire that started July 15 was at 12,801 acres with 75 percent containment. Information officer Norm Rucker said the fire moved over containment lines in the fire’s southeast corner on Saturday and Sunday. He said the fire will be allowed to burn to the scar line of the Mineral Primm Fire of 2003.
Air quality in the Arlee area is unsafe for sensitive groups in the morning and rises to moderate in the afternoon.
Helicopters and single-engine air tankers were being used to drop water on the fire.
The Black Fire north of Jocko Lakes that was started by lightning on July 20 was at 52 acres as of Monday. It was zero percent contained, but firefighters are monitoring it and dropping water on it from helicopter.
