Small fire near Big Mountain contained

Fire crews on Saturday responded to a small wildfire burning near the back side of Big Mountain.

The Big Creek Fire was contained at 3 acres, according to Flathead Forest spokesperson Janette Turk. It was burning through brush and timber on Forest Service land northwest of the Big Mountain summit, about 1.5 miles from the base of Chair 7 at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The fire was caused by lightning, according to the Northwest Zone Interagency Fire Coordination Group.

“A great save by our initial attack fire personnel,” Turk told the Daily Inter Lake.

The fire danger in Northwest Montana remains listed as “extreme.”

Stage II fire restrictions have been implemented in the Flathead National Forest, Flathead County, Glacier National Park and the city of Whitefish.

Stage II restrictions prohibit campfires and smoking except in enclosed vehicles or buildings, and operation of motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails is also prohibited. The use of internal combustion engines is also prohibited from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Local response agencies have responded to a dozen recreational fire calls since Stage II restrictions went into effect Thursday morning, according to fire officials.

For more information on fire restrictions, visit https://firerestrictions.us/stage/nr/stage-ii/.

Smoke from area wildfires has been impacting air quality in the region.

On Tuesday morning the Montana Department of Environmental Quality listed the air quality for the Flathead Valley as unhealthy meaning that active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

For hourly air quality levels, visit www.todaysair.mt.gov.