Carbon County Disaster and Emergency Services and the Carbon County Sheriff’s office have announced the evacuation of about 50 homes near the Harris Hill Fire burning north of Joliet.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, county emergency services, and Joliet Volunteer Fire, the evacuation orders are placed on the Cole Creek Road and Stene Road areas. Road closures include Cole Creek Road from Highway 212 to Bellion Road, all of Bellion Road, and both entrances of Farewell Road.
As of the press release at noon, no structure losses were reported.
Fire and county officials say the fire was caused by lightning and is burning about 2,500 acres with 0% containment.
According to a Facebook post by the Red Lodge Fire Rescue a Red Lodge Fire engine was burned over Friday while fighting the Harris Fire. The post says the two-person engine crew was attacking the fire when the wind suddenly shifted and the fire overtook them. One of the firefighters who suffered severe burns was flown to Salt Lake City for treatment.
The Anderson Hill Fire, burning about 600 acres in Granite, Powell and Missoula counties, has prompted the Bureau of Land Management to temporarily close the Garnet Ghost Town.
According to an incidentupdate Saturday morning on inciweb, the wildfire is burning about a mile east of the ghost town. Landmarks within the BLM closures area include Garnet Ghost Town, Garnet Range Road, Elevation Mountain, Douglas Creek, Mulkey Gulch, Bear Gulch, Deep Creek, Elk Creek, Gambler Gulch, Fist Chance Gulch, Cave Gulch, Top O’Deep, and Keno and Kennedy roads.
According to the Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office, evacuations near the Alder Creek Fire burning about 3,400 acres near the Wise River will continue through the weekend and be re-evaluated Monday morning. The Red Cross will be at the Wise River Community Center for those in need 1-800-272-6668.
Fire restrictions are in place for most of Montana, with many Western counties under State 2 - banning building campfires, smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials, operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails
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