Lighting ignites new fires in the Lincoln Area

Lightning that moved through the area last night generated seven new fire starts in the area around Lincoln, Michael Stansberry, Lincoln District Ranger, told the BVD.

A lightning strike from last night is believed to be the cause of the Nevada Creek Fire near the Helmville-Gould Trail near Stemple Pass. The newsier in the same general area as the Dalton Fire air crews were fighting yesterday. Stansberry said the new fire is at about 40 acres, with fire activity increasing as the day heats up.

He said all available air assets in the area, including A heavy Type 1 helicopter, a smaller Type 3 helicopter, Large Air Tankers, and the VLAT, the Very Large Ari Tanker, are all conducting suppression operations on the Nevada Creek Fire.

"We're trying to knock that one down right now. That one is the most volatile," Stansberry said, noting the area has a lot of fuel and a lot of potential for fire growth.

The Forest service is working with the Marysville and Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Departments and are evaluating actions should the fire continue to grow.

Stansberry said a public meeting is expected to be held in Canyon Creek, but he may organize one in Lincoln as well.

Currently trails to the east of the fire are closed and Stansberry said they are expecting to close additional trials in the area, including the Continental Divide Trails. He said a decision will be made later in the day regarding whether to close Stemple Pass.

Stansberry said are also initial attack crews, using full suppression tactics on strikes that caught fuel in the Hogum Creek area.

Helena - Lewis and Clark National forest spokesperson Kathy Bushnell will be acting as the Public information officer for the Nevada Creek fire and should have more information out to the public later today.