At least one “fifth-wheel" residence, several vehicles and some outbuildings burned in a fire that quickly swept through a Missoula neighborhood yesterday evening.
The Colorado Gulch Fire ignited in timber and grass at about 6:30.
It’s burned at least 10 to 20 acres in Missoula’s Grant Creek neighborhood north of Interstate 90.
No injuries were reported.
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation spokesman Jordan Koppen says local firefighters rushed to hit it with everything they had.
“We had multiple engines on it," Koppen said. "Missoula city and rural, the Forest Service, and Frenchtown Fire rushed to the scene and helped us out. We had one Type 3 helicopter, air attacks, multiple heavy air tanker drops and three single engine air tankers also helping us out."
The Missoula County Sheriff’s office says all residents in the Colorado Gulch area are under mandatory fire evacuations. This includes Colorado Gulch, Lime Springs Trail, LaSalle Way, and St. Vrain Way. The popular Rattlesnake Recreation Area is also being closed as a precautionary measure.
Grant Creek resident Linda Gillan was watching TV when she saw news that a dangerous wildfire was burning in her own neighborhood. Gillan says fire is just a fact of life in that part of Missoula.
“Actually my in-laws built the house back in the 80’s," she said. "When they both passed my husband and I both bought the house and we love the Grant Creek area. The house is an heirloom in the family and we wanted to pass it down to our kids and future generations. Hopefully the house will still be standing by morning. If not, well, it’s God’s will. Whatever’s meant to be will happen, I guess.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
(Below are fire updates as they came in Monday night)
Update from Missoula County Sheriff's Office: 10:45 PM: "Sheriff McDermott and deputies just finished searching the Colorado Gulch area. It was discovered that a fifth wheel residence was burned in the wild land fire, along with several vehicles and some out buildings. That resident has been accounted for. Right now, no injures have been reported. Deputies and fire personnel are continuing a roadblock at Colorado Gulch Rd., but traffic is now open on Grant Creek."
Update from the Missoula County Sheriff's office, posted approximately 10:00 p.m., Mon. 8/22: "Approximately 20-25 homes were evacuated this evening in the Colorado Gulch area. The winds, fire movement and location of the homes made it extremely difficult for emergency personnel to do some of the notifications.
Deputies and fire personnel are currently sweeping the area to make sure all residents are accounted for."
A fire near Missoula has forced the evacuation of residents of Colorado Gulch in the Grant Creek area. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office posted the following message to their facebook page this evening:
"All residents in the Colorado Gulch area are under mandatory fire evacuations. This includes Colorado Gulch, Lime Springs Trail, LaSalle Way, and St. Vrain Way.
Rattlesnake Recreation Area is also being closed as a precautionary measure.
Sheriffs deputies are working with fire officials to notify residents in the Starwood Drive turnout. These folks will be put on evacuation warning or "set" in the "Ready, Set, Go" Protocol."
