FIRE ACTIVITY SOARS

A heavy helicopter loosens its load of water on the Shorty fire last Friday. Believed to be a lightning-holdover fire, the Shorty fire was limited to eight acres as approximately 50 firefighters backed by three helicopters effectively put the fire down late last week. The fire was in the Prospect Creek drainage, about 10 air miles west of Thompson Falls. Fire danger remains at high in most of Sanders County.