Clear Creek Fire dwindles after burning 345 acres
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News from CSKT Division of Fire
PERMA – The Clear Creek Fire began on Wednesday, July 22, and burned 345 acres located 1.5 miles north of the Perma Bridge, along U.S. Highway 382, before settling down with minimal activity.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Division of Fire reported that the fire was under investigation but believed to have started by rock quarry equipment in the area.
Clear Creek Road off U.S. Highway 382 was closed in the area to protect the public and minimize the traffic. During the week, temperatures moved into the high 90s and winds gusted in at about 20 mph to create a hot-dry atmosphere for the fire, but no one was hurt and all the structures in the area were safe. “There were no evacuations and no structures threatened,” CSKT Division of Fire officials said.
CSKT fire crews had the fire 60 percent contained on Wednesday. They continued to work on fire suppression efforts. “There are miscellaneous overhead, three type-six engines, one 20 man Type II Initial Attack Crew and a Type III helicopter assigned to the blaze,” officials said. A type-three helicopter was also called in to do bucket work.
On Thursday, CSKT Division of Fire officials reported that the fire was 80 percent contained, crews continued fire suppression efforts and helicopters did more bucket work. On Friday, it was reported that minimal fire behavior was observed. “Firefighters will patrol the containment lines and mop-up any smokes,” officials said.
