Schoolhouse – West Fork Fires Putting Up Smoke Visible in Missoula [AUDIO]

The Schoolhouse Fire burning near Highway 12 about 20 miles from Lolo is putting up smoke that is visible from Missoula.

Department of Natural Resources Fire Information Officer Cindy Super said that the fire was first reported early Sunday morning.

"The first call came in around 2:00 a.m." Super said. "We got engines up there early in the morning and at that time the fire was about a half-acre. At that point, things were looking pretty good. Then, a couple of spot fires broke out, and the wind got behind one of those fires this afternoon and it grew to about five acres. Last I heard Sunday evening was that fire was about 15 acres, and they've ordered more resources like a hot-shot crew and some retardant drops, so we'll see how that goes."

Super said crews will be working to control the fire all night.

"We'll be fighting it actively through the night," Super said. "We don't just monitor the fire, we put it out. We'll put out more information late tonight and again early Monday morning."

Super said no homes or structures are threatened at this time.

"No homes or structures are threatened, and there have been no evacuations, but the fire is putting up a pretty good plume of smoke that can be seen from town."

DNRC Fire Information Officer Cindy Super

Another fire burning not far from the Schoolhouse Fire is in the Lolo National Forest. Spokesman Boyd Hartwig said Sunday evening that the West Fork Fire is burning not far from Highway 12.

"This fire is burning on the south side of Highway 12," Hartwig said. "The West Fork Fire is about 30 to 40 acres and being pushed by the wind. We've got heavy air tankers and helicopters working on the fire Sunday evening, but its a very active fire, obviously pushed by the wind. No roads have been closed in the area because of this fire."

Lolo National Forest Spokesman Boyd Hartwig