Out-of-state crews arrive to help with West Garceau Fire

KPAX TV photo by Dax VanFossen(POLSON)- The Lake County Fairgrounds have become a melting pot of sorts, as firefighters from all over the U.S. pour in to help contain the risky West Garceau Fire, which has burned some 9,000 acres of ranch and timberland outside Polson.

The fire, which may have been sparked by farm machinery, grew quickly in the high winds earlier this week. It's the largest fire in Western Montana this year. 

KPAX TV reports additional crews have been arriving, some from as far away as New York, to relieve the local firefighters who dealt with the initial attack, moving into the makeshift fire camp on the outskirts of Polson. More than 120 firefighters are working to establish a perimeter around the fire before it makes another run in the hot conditions expected Friday and Saturday. 

Ranchers in the sparsely populated Irvine Flats were allowed to return home Wednesday and no further evacuations have been ordered.