Forest spokesman Tod McKay says officials want to confirm whose homes are involved before releasing a definite number or location. “We can rebuild homes. We had friends and family all coming together to get each other out of there and help do what they could”.
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A public information meeting about the 5.5-square-mile fire in the Bitterroot National Forest is set for 7 p.m. Monday at the First Interstate Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. Driven by gusty downslope winds funneled right down the valley, the fire was racing through the foothills southwest of Hamilton.
Hoffman did not give a specific number of structures that have been destroyed.
Hoffman said rapid evacuation after the fire sparked Sunday afternoon made it hard to match properties and owners. He said that houses could be rebuilt, but people could. If you pull the radar, you’ll see the plume is huge.
One person needed cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the Owens Creek area, Hoffman said.
For up-to-date information on this closure and restrictions related to drought and fire, visit fwp.mt.gov/news/restrictions/ or call the FWP office in Missoula at 406-542-5500.
Forest officials say the fire started Sunday afternoon and had burned almost 5.5 square miles by Monday morning.
The latest mapping shows that fire has burned at least 3,505 acres; an estimated 500 homes remain on evacuation orders or alert.
Authorities have expanded the Stage 2 evacuation notice for residents living near the Roaring Lion fire burning just south of Hamilton.
“It’s disgusting”, Caughey said. “We have, I don’t know, probably another 10 or so that have already told us today, we’ll probably be back to stay in the shelter tonight”. The Missoulian says that includes all of Roaring Lion Road, Lupine Ridge Trail, 2 Horse Lane, Highland Drive, North Gold Creek Loop, Owings Creek south to Roaring Lion Road, and Gold Creek Loop to Camas Creek Loop.
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The Missoulian reports that two helicopters are headed to the fire.
