Evacuations lifted for Gibralter Fire

The evacuation order put into place Aug. 7 as a result of the Gibralter Ridge Fire east of Eureka has been lifted and residents were allowed to return to their homes at noon on Monday.

Cooler, more humid conditions over the weekend allowed the nearly 500 firefighters on scene at the Gibralter Ridge Fire to make progress in the containment of the blaze.

The fire now covers almost 2,000 acres, but, as of Monday morning, 6 percent was contained.

Located seven miles from Eureka, firefighters have established a fire line, successfully preventing the fire from reaching homes on Foothills Road, Sherman Creek and surrounding residential areas.

The area remains closed to non-residents.

Pre-evacuation orders remain in place for surrounding areas as the fire could still pose a risk for residences and private property.

A red flag warning issued Saturday afternoon remains in effect.

Officials from the Type 2 Incident Team currently fighting the fire scheduled a public fire information meeting at the Lincoln County High School in Eureka at 6 p.m. Monday.

TWO ADDITIONAL incident teams have been ordered for the 300-acre Tamarack Fire burning west of Kalispell and north of the Thompson Lakes area and the 100-acre People’s Creek Fire burning east of Libby along the Fisher River.

A Type 2 Incident Team was scheduled to take over the Tamarack Fire at 10 a.m. on Monday, while a Type 3 Incident Team was scheduled to take over management of the People’s Creek Fire.

For more information and updates, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.