Lightning causes two fires on Lake Mountain


Firefighters got closer to containing two fires Monday evening after lightning struck Lake Mountain near Saratoga Springs.

Teresa Rigby, fire information officer for the Bureau of Land Management, said lightning started both fires between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. One fire started on the west side of the mountain near Eagle Mountain, while the other fire started on the east side near Saratoga Springs. Both fires most likely will not be fully contained until Tuesday but were not getting any bigger.

Rigby said the fire on the west side was contained at approximately 10 acres by about 3 p.m. The fire on the east side, though much smaller, continued to burn. By 4:30 p.m., the fire had grown to about five acres.

The fire on the west side was lower on the mountain, so it was easier to contain, Rigby said. The fire on the east was much higher and crossed over some ridges, so air tankers were brought in to help fight the fire. Rigby said the smaller fire is of more concern because it has the potential to grow and is closer to communities.

Although no structures are in immediate danger right now, Rigby said there are power lines that could be affected by the fire. Three engines are fighting the fire with helicopters and air tankers as support. She said the fire is not pushing hard, and winds died down in the late afternoon, which helped firefighting efforts.