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The Kootenai Creek Fire still burning in rough, steep terrain in the Bitterroot Range west of Stevensville and after Saturday's winds, it's estimated at 4,435 acres.

The blaze is burning north and east across the Brooks Face, toward Bass Creek, and south and east into the Larson Creek Drainage.

Additional fire crews were called in and Bitterroot National Forest spokeswoman Nan Christensen said firefighting resources continued to arrive throughout Saturday night and into Sunday.

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 to protect public safety and to reduce traffic on the road systems while firefighters are active in the area.

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman notified homeowners west of the Sharrott Hill Loop that a Stage One Evacuation Alert and Warning was in effect, but there no evacuations reported on Sunday.

A Stage One Alert means that there is a potential danger and home owners should be ready to leave, while a Stage Two Alert means the fire is imminent; and Stage Three is a mandatory evacuation alert.

Area homeowners are waiting to hear what the fire, which has stirred controversy since the beginning was doing on Sunday.

"From the initial start of this fire back on the 13^th of July, we knew this fire had potential to do what it is doing right now, and our intention has been to put it out" explained Stevensville District Ranger Dan Ritter. However, when our men arrived on the scene, it was already 10-12 acres, and...(was) not a place we can safely fight this fire."

"We feel very comfortable with all these fire departments and fire trucks around here" added homeowner Fred Burnell who's retired from the U.S. Forest Service. "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."

Although Burnell feels safe now, he said he isn't surprised the fire has spread and added he doesn't feel the USFS has done a lot to try and stop the blaze.

The USFS has said the location of the fire has made it difficult to fight and that the main concern all along has been for the safety of the crew and the public. They are also encouraging people to call the Stevensville Ranger District office with any questions or concerns at (406) 777.5461.

- Allyson Weller reporting from KPAX in Missoula