Crews battle small fires on Flathead Reservation

Four small fires raging on the Flathead Reservation received a major response from regional firefighters Friday as the fire danger rose to “extreme” status.

The 15-acre Haymaker Fire is burning southeast of Polson in the Mission Mountains. Flathead Hotshots responded to the lightning-caused incident, with support from single-engine firefighting aircraft and a Type II helicopter. No structures were threatened.

The Mill Pocket Fire 20 west of Elmo was 15 acres in size Friday with a crew of 24 firefighters, two bulldozers and a skid steer responding. No structures were threatened.

The Sullivan Fire, 8 miles northeast of Hot Springs, was 50 acres. An airstrike and four single-engine firefighting planes were scheduled for Friday. No structures are threatened.

The 19-acre Garceau Fire is 17 miles west of Polson, burning in wood and grass with downed fuel. The fire was 95% contained by Friday.

Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place in the reserve.