VIDEO/PHOTOS: During Saturday’s thunder and lightning storms, ten new lightning caused fires were started on the Bitterroot National Forest. Officials say over 500 lightning strikes were confirmed on the forest within 24 hours. All ten fires are less than five acres and that firefighters have declared five fires out already. The Laird Creek Fire is burning 4.5 acres, has 40 firefighters on scene, two helicopters dropping water, with crews beginning mop-up today. The Dominic Butte Fire is burning 2.5 acres with 30 firefighters, three helicopters, and the Corvallis Fire Department working on suppression efforts. The Pan Lake Fire is burning two acres with an initial attack team and 10 firefighters who will be continuing line construction.
