KXLF

Posted: Sep 21, 2009 9:27 AM
Updated: Sep 23, 2009 1:57 PM

Strong, gusty winds on Saturday afternoon pushed the Kootenai Creek Fire near Stevensville, sending smoke all over the valley, and causing residents to express concern about the now 4,500 acre blaze.

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Fire officials held an informative meeting on Sunday in response to the growth of the blaze to brief the public on suppression tactics and to hear resident's expectations, frustrations and fears.

Many residents are concerned about their personal property, air quality and living with smoke in the valley and several people asked why the Kootenai Creek Fire wasn't put out earlier. They also expressed fears that the winds could eventually change, moving it too close to the town.

The Stevensville District Ranger took some heat from the public and tried to reassure residents that the terrain was too steep, and said that officials weren't about to risk the lives of fire personnel to attack the fire.

"We can always improve, but I think we are doing the right thing" explained Dan Ritter with the Stevensville Ranger District. "Anytime we have to deploy resources there are risks involved. There are wives, sons, daughters, and husbands fighting and I have to weigh the risk effective to that action."

The fire team says more public meetings are being scheduled to keep everyone up-to-date on the latest information on the Kootenai Creek Fire.

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(from September 21, 2009)

The Kootenai Creek fire gained another 100 acres on Sunday after winds fanned the blaze Saturday. So far, it's estimated that around 4,435 acres have burned.

Saturday, the fire burned north and east across the Brooks Face, toward Bass Creek, and south and east into the Larson Creek Drainage.

That prompted fire officials to call in extra fire crews, as well as to close the Bass Creek, Kootenai Creek and Sharrott Creek drainages and the road and trail system in the St. Mary's drainage are closed to public use.

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman's Stage One Pre-Evacuation Alert and Warning is still in effect for homeowners west of the Sharrott Hill Loop at the west end of the South and Middle Kootenai Creek Roads, but no evacuations had been ordered.

We spoke with fire officials and people who live in the area today about the recent growth of the fire. The way it's been managed has been controversial, with several Stevensville-area residents questioning the tactics used to battle the blaze.

"You don't manage a fire when it gets this bad. It manages itself and it could destroy our property, so I'm deeply concerned" commented homeowner Fred Burnell who's retired from the USFS.

"The fire has been in the canyon with rugged terrain, heavy fuel loads, and difficult places to get into" explained Stevensville District Ranger Dan Ritter. "We have had three significant rain events on this fire, it's still going, and so that just gives you an indication of how difficult it is to get a handle on it."

Controversy continues over the Kootenai Creek Fire as the fire has grown almost 1,500 acres, spreading onto the face of the mountains. A cold front blew strong winds through the canyon on Saturday. 

"That's where we've been since Day One. We've employed resources where we think it's safe and effective. We've had helicopters, but it has not been a fire we have let burn" Ritter told us.

Local residents have been doing what they can to protect their land since they received a Stage One Evacuation Alert late Saturday night.  And while residents don't have to leave their homes they must be ready for anything that comes their way.

Burnell for one, wasn't surprised about the fire spread. "I've worked on fires almost all my career, so I'm a little disappointed the way this situation has been handled."

He's followed all the precautions for his home, and is thankful for the protection of the USFS now. "We feel very comfortable with all these fire departments and fire trucks around here. They will make an effort to protect our property. I'm not asking anyone to risk their lives, but I do feel more comfortable with them there."

Some locals in Stevensville have heard rumors, or don't agree with the way the fire has been handled.

"It's the idea that we didn't suppress this fire, that we had a chance to put it out and didn't...that's just not true" Ritter emphasized. "It's been in a very difficult area, and safety has been our main concern, trying to get resources to effectively fight this fire is tough. It's in a tough spot."

- Allyson Weller reporting from KPAX in Missoula