Evacuation orders lifted for Libby
Just a day after evacuating several neighborhoods in the South Libby area, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has rescinded that order, allowing residents to return home despite the growing Goat Rock Complex.
The 3,758-acre Klatawa Fire southeast of Libby on Saturday necessitated the evacuation of 20 residents on Lower Granite Lake Road, Granite Creek Road, Willow Road, Prospect Creek Road, Winchester Drive and Granite Lake Road.
Those residents, as well as residents of the Libby area west of. U.S. 2, starting from Pearl Street near Atkins South Gas Station and extending south to and including Bear Creek Road remain under pre-evacuation notice.
Lincoln County Undersheriff Brent Faulkner asked in a press release for residents to “remain vigilant and ready to evacuate in the coming days as warmer weather will increase fire activity again.”
The initial order to evacuate was rescinded after cooler temperatures, precipitation and higher humidity all helped limit fire growth — to an extent.
Brad Purdy, fire information officer, said crews had worked hard but fires were still creeping.
“The Klatawa Fire moved a little bit, and crossed into the Granite Creek drainage,” he said. “The rain coming down [Saturday] was a big help. Crews right now are focused on the Klatawa and the Berray Mountain Fires.”
The Goat Rock Complex is sitting at 6,744 acres, split between the Klatawa, the Berray Mountain Fire (at 1,922 acres) and several other smaller fires. Ninety-five personnel are working that complex.
In the Thompson-Divide Complex, the Sheep Fire remains static in its approach of evacuated Essex.
It has grown to more than 2,101 acres and threatens more than 200 structures in Essex, along with BNSF trestles and buildings.
Jonathan Moor, fire spokesman, said that hard work and lucky weather have kept the Sheep Fire somewhat in check.
“Fire behavior has been reduced,” he said. “Because of the smoke, it’s been reducing radiant heat from the sun. That and the efforts of firefighters have kept this fire in check.”
Firefighters have removed brush and many trees from between Essex and the BNSF line to make a fire break ranging from 45 to 100 feet. The fire itself ranges from half a mile to a mile away from the community.
The Sheep Fire, burning near U.S. 2 on the southern end of Glacier National Park is one of several large fires burning in the Thompson-Divide Complex.
“The winds have been cooperating,” Moor said. “But we’re going to continue to work tactics that will prevent the fire from reaching Essex.”
The Sheep Fire remains zero percent contained.
A rapidly expanding fire on the east side of the Continental Divide forced the evacuation of Heart Butte in Pondera County on Friday.
The Spotted Eagle Fire — Family Peak Complex has exploded to more than 49,600 acres as of Sunday, some of which has burned heavy timber around Spotted Eagle Mountain and another portion which has burned through grassland near the 700-person community of Heart Butte.
An evacuation shelter has been set up by the Blackfeet Nation and American Red Cross Montana Chapter at 80 Heart Butte Road in Browning.
Anyone who needs shelter is welcome, and all services are free. When possible, evacuees should bring personal items such as prescriptions, medications, personal documents, extra clothing and bedding, items for children and babies, and any other special items.
More than 200 people had registered for the shelter by Saturday.
Firefighting resources are being moved from the 48-acre Benchmark Fire to help fight the Family Peak Complex.