SEELEY LAKE, Mont., Aug. 8, 2007
Montana Wildfire Could Last All Summer
15,000-Acre Fire In Northwest Tourist Town 10 Percent Contained, But Breezy Weather Stokes Flames
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One of two fire fighting planes take on water from Seeley Lake, Mont., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, to help fight a wildfire. (AP Photo/Missoulian, Linda Thompson)
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The Skyland fire burns near Marias Pass, near East Glacier, Montana, Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP)
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A firefighting airplane comes in low to scoop water from Seeley Lake just off shore from the town of Seeley Lake,Mont., as the Jocko Lakes fire burns nearby, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Robin Loznak)
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A firefighting airplane comes in low to take water from Seeley Lake as smoke from the Jacko Lake fire rises and the sun sets near the town of Seeley Lake, Mont, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. (AP)
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More than 15,000 acres, or 23 square miles, have burned since the blaze started Friday. Firefighters were concerned that higher winds could force the flames toward Seeley Lake, a town with about 5,000 residents in the summer.
Fire commander Glen McNitt said the area usually doesn't see substantial rainfall until mid-September, adding it was conceivable the fire could last until then.
"This country will burn, and it will burn fast and furious," he said.
From the air, the fire initially looked like a series of small campfires lapping at trees, but then a big swath of blackened forest came into view, including the rubble of one home.
Another home, a commercial building and seven outbuildings also were damaged, authorities have said.
"We are prepared for the worst, and people should pray for the best," Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer said.
The fire was 10 percent contained Tuesday night. Residents remained in Seeley Lake, but hundreds of outlying homes had been ordered evacuated. The National Weather Service was predicting winds as high as 20 mph.
Evacuation orders remained in effect for several other blazes in the state.
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- Michigan's Governor Granholm decided she could spare 40 National Guard troops. Thought that was pretty generous of her considering she forgets the Upper Peninsula is still part of her state.
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- Unfortunatly, the present policy within the Forest Service is "Let Burn" thanks to the likes of the Sierra Club.
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