Departments Knock Out First Forest Fire for 2005
Departments Knock Out First Forest Fire for 2005
26February 2005
publishedby Kota Territory News
by Teri Nelson
A stray bullet sparked a small fire near Rockerville this afternoon burning little more than an acre. But in February the first forest fire of 2005 is enough to fan already intense fears of a nasty fire season.
Foresters say fire conditions now resemble those typical of May or Juneand without moisture it will only get worse. Forest Service Resource Assistant David Slepnikoff says a stray bullet likely Ricocheted off a rock ans sparked a fire along Beretta Road off Highway 16.
Firefighters caught the fire early, it only burned about an acre and a half, but Slepnikoff says it proves potential for a major forest fire remains high, There’s a couple of trees
where it was already two-thirds of the way up the tree when they got here. Luckily, they had hose lays out quick and got it locked out. Otherwise it would have got up into the crowns and the wind is picking up here this afternoon. We could have had a lot bigger fire than this one.
Slepnikoff says target shooting usually doesnt pose much of a risk, but right now its important to make sure bullets can only land on bare groundpine needles may kindle a fire.
Source: Kota Territory News http://www.kotatv.com/localnews/story.asp?ID=20589
