Wildfire Contained After Unattended Campfire

Tribes and local fire crews extinguish blaze sparked by neglected fire pit

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted earth tones, with a massive cloud of thick, dark smoke obscuring the horizon and dwarfing any visible structures or vegetation, conveying the overwhelming, sublime scale of an uncontrolled wildfire.A wildfire's thick, billowing smoke envelops the landscape, highlighting the raw power of uncontrolled blazes that can quickly spread and threaten nearby communities.Missoula Today

Firefighters from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire and the Polson Rural Fire District worked together to fully contain a wildfire that started from an unattended campfire in Missoula, Montana. Officials are reminding the public to stay with their campfires until they are completely extinguished.

Why it matters

Unattended campfires can quickly escalate into dangerous wildfires, especially during dry conditions. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and the need for vigilance to prevent such accidental blazes from spreading and threatening nearby communities.

The details

The wildfire began when an unattended campfire got out of control in the Missoula area. Firefighters from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire and the Polson Rural Fire District responded and were able to fully contain the blaze.

  • The wildfire started from an unattended campfire on April 6, 2026.
  • Firefighters contained the wildfire on April 7, 2026.

The players

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire

The fire department that serves the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes reservation in Montana.

Polson Rural Fire District

The local fire department that responded to the wildfire alongside the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Officials are reminding the public to be extremely cautious with campfires and to ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving any camping or outdoor areas.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for heightened fire safety awareness, especially during dry conditions, to prevent accidental wildfires from starting and spreading. Proper campfire management is crucial to protecting Montana's forests and communities.