Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

The bad news is two wildland fires broke out early this week and were reported to still be burning in Sanders County as of Tuesday afternoon. The good news is that neither fire is threatening any structures and no evacuations have been ordered at this point.

The Magpie Rock fire, estimated to be between 250 and 300 acres, burning in the mountains about eight miles west of Dixon and south of Highway 200 in the Magpie Creek area, is a lightning-caused blaze believed to have been started by a passing storm late last week. The fire is currently listed at 0% containment, but managers hope to change that number in the coming days.

The Sundance fire, a one-acre human-caused fire burning alongside the Thompson River Road about 10 miles north of Highway 200, has been contained, and is continuing to be worked on as of press time. The Sundance fire was reported and responded to Monday night. An engine staffed with three firefighters was assigned to the fire Tuesday.

The Fire Information Officer for the CSKT Division of Fire, the agency in charge of the fire, C.T. Camel said that 139 personnel are currently assigned the Magpie Rock fire.

Forest roads No. 5000 and 6000, in the Revais and Magpie creek areas, are closed due to fire operations and the public is being asked to avoid the area.

Likely caused by a careless camper, the Sundance fire was near full containment with an engine and three firefighters assigned to it Tuesday.

Managers are urging people to be very careful with fires as the 2020 wildfire season unfolds.

Sizzling hot summer weather is expected over the next week – with temperatures in the 90s and humidities in the teens and twenties – creating a perfect storm for potential wildfire starts.