Update on four area fires, including Baker's Camp Fire

July 13

Cape Horn Fire, near Bayview Reports from earlier today indicate the fire is at 1,326 acres, and is 60% contained. Fire officials are planning to do a control burn within the fire perimeter on Wednesday, July 15, along with continuing to work on fireline, removal of hazard trees, and mop up. A community meeting has been set for Tuesday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m. to discuss the control burn and any other fire issues. Baker's Camp Fire in Boundary County According to reports from 11:00 a.m. this morning, helicopters were busy yesterday dropping approximately 38,000 gallons of water on the southeast corner of the fire. Fire officials indicate that use of air support is the best tactical approach for this fire due to the steep and rocky terrain. The heavy application of water and cooler temperatures allowed firefighters to bring the fire’s containment up to 75%. Over the weekend, firefighters were able to get a fireline around the southeast corner of the fire, which has been the most active and challenging area of the fire, according to Shanna Kleinsmith, Public Information Officer. Firefighters will begin preparation today for laying out hoses and water pumps to begin the “mop up” of the fire. “Mop up” refers to the action of having fire fighters search out hidden hot spots and drown those hot spots with a slurry of water and dirt. Air drops of water and fire retardant continue today, ground crews continue to manage the fire and to seek out any spot fires that may have occurred. Granite Fire, west of Priest Lake According to the latest available reports as of this morning, the size of this fire is 207 acres, and containment is now at 75%. There are 92 firefighters assigned to this fire. According to officials working with the Granite Fire, cooler temperatures and high humidity allowed firefighters to make steady gains on fire containment. Hose lays to support mop up operations are in place for most of the fire perimeter.  Mop up work increased to include the first 100 feet in from the fire perimeter. The total fire perimeter is about 2.5 miles. Crews are continuing mop up operations within the fire perimeter, seeking out and taking care of hidden hot spots at the fire. On Friday, storms that passed through the area started three new fires in the Priest Lake area, those fires located at Shedroof, Little Snowy, and Kalispell Rock. The Priest Lake Ranger Station is managing those new fires, and fortunately all were contained before they could spread. Blacktail Fire, west of Priest Lake The latest report available indicated the Blacktail Fire was at 11 acres and was 95% contained.  The total perimeter of the fire is about 1/2 mile.  There are 32 firefighters working on this fire. There may be thunderstorms in the area later today. Fire officials are reporting an unusual incident a few days ago with the crew battling the Blacktail Fire. The fire crew had retired for the evening at their base camp site, when they were unexpectedly awakened by the smell of smoke at their own camp. They found a fire in the nearby woods which they had to suppress that night, when they were supposed to be sleeping. It was found that this fire was caused by a camper who had used the campsite before the crew's arrival--apparently this camper had dumped hot charcoal briquettes in the woods, igniting the fire 48 hours later that the fire crew had to put out.