The Thompson River Complex, four lightning-caused fires burning in very steep, rocky terrain, discovered Aug. 1, continues to be managed by an ICT 3 management team on the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District on the west side of the Lolo National Forest.

According to a news release issued by Inciweb, listed at a total of 193 acres on Aug. 6, the four fires in the complex are Koo-Koo-Sint 1 (112 acres), Koo-Koo-Sint 2 (42 acres), Spruce Creek (24 acres) and Spruce 2 (15 acres). After initial attack with retardant planes and helicopters with water buckets, crews were able to build helispots on the Koo-Koo-Sint fires and ferry additional ground forces into the fires.

Fire managers continue to monitor the Koo-Koo-Sint fires as they near the Clark Fork Valley where several residences, outbuildings, a BPA powerline, a major railroad line and Highway 200 are located. Anticipating possible rolling debris from these fires, the Montana DOT has placed large electronic reader-boards warning motorists of the potential danger on the highway at the west and east ends of the fires.

Fire managers are asking the public not to block roads in the area, so that emergency and firefighting vehicles can have rapid access to the fire complex.

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