close
close

topicnews · August 26, 2024

Burnouts planned at Sharrott Creek Fire, community meeting on Tuesday

Burnouts planned at Sharrott Creek Fire, community meeting on Tuesday

STEVENSVILLE – Crews at the Sharrott Creek Fire near Stevensville are working Monday to keep the blaze under control.

An update from the Bitterroot National Forest on Monday afternoon said that work is currently underway to “establish a defense mechanism between the fire and the community.”

Increased fire and smoke activity will be observed from St. Mary’s Peak as firefighters conduct extinguishing operations on the east side of the fire.

The 1,048-acre lightning-sparked fire remains 0% contained and previously issued evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect.
in force.

A community meeting to discuss firefighting efforts is scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Stevensville High School gymnasium.

The meeting will also be streamed live and questions can be asked in the comments section.

The following information was provided by the Bitterroot National Forest on Monday afternoon:

“The fire zone is one and a half miles long and should provide an effective anchor point to begin securing the fire edge.

Today, firefighters plan to proactively burn small portions of the eastern edge of the fire. The burn stretches over a mile and a half and is intended to provide an effective anchor point to begin securing the edge of the fire.

– The fire brigade has already done preliminary work to prepare this line.

– Burnouts are performed to remove unburned fuel between the containment lines and the edge of the fire. This strategy allows for better control of fire intensity. If a fire reaches the line with too much intensity, a line may not be able to contain the fire.

**Be prepared for increased fire activity/smoke on St. Mary’s Peak around the 739/734 road system east of the fire beginning at 1 p.m. and well into the evening. This burn is intended to assist suppression efforts. Fire and public safety precautions are in place.”

Evacuation orders remain in effect for the following areas:

  • West of the intersection of Kootenai Creek Road and Timber Trail, including the homes along Timber Trail.
  • West of the west side of Sharrott Hill Loop, including homes on Blue Grouse Lane, Redtail Hawk Lane, and Porcupine Lane.
  • Marmot Trail
  • Saint Mary’s Lookout Road, west of Saint Marys Road.

Evacuation warnings apply to the following areas:

  • North Kootenai Creek Road and west of Wankantanka Way.
  • West of the east side of Sharrot Hill Loop.
  • West of the Salish Trail.
  • West of the intersection of Saint Mary’s Road and Salish Trail.
  • West of Saint Mary’s Road to the intersection with Indian Prairie Loop.

A Red Cross shelter at the Latter-day Saint Church at 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road in Stevensville is stocking up on food, cots and water for fire evacuees.
Additionally, Anytime Fitness Gym in Stevensville opens its showers during business hours for those without hot water.

The Sharrott Creek Fire Command Post has been relocated to Fort Owen Ranch in Stevensville.

A recorded message is available by calling the Ravalli County Emergency Operation Center at 406-375-6650. Residents are encouraged to download the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office app for information on evacuation orders and changes.

People are also encouraged to register with Hyper-Link to receive emergency notifications from the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management.

You may also like...