UPDATE: July 24 at 1:23 p.m.
Containment for the Butler Creek Fire has increased to 70% and remains 307 acres large Wednesday.
Red Flag warnings, ongoing or immanent fire weather pattern, are in place in the Missoula area until 9 p.m. Wednesday, and Stage II Fire Restrictions remain.
The Butler Creek Fire is now at a local Type 4 organization.
According to a release from Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the fire is believed to be human-caused.
At this time, there are 75 personnel at the fire, including 10 engines, two dozers and one skidgene.
Crews will resume mop up operations along the perimeter, monitoring to identify and put out any remaining heat.
On Wednesday, firefighters are working on securing the fire line and keeping the fire in its tracks.
Crews may be mopping up the fire for many days ahead.
UPDATE: July 23 at 1:30 p.m.
The Missoula County Sheriff's Office has cancelled the evacuation orders and warnings for the Butler Creek Fire near Missoula.
Residents are allowed to go back home as of 1 p.m.
The areas include:
• Lavelle Creek Road and on the west side of Butler Creek Road from Lavelle Creek Road to Timberline Ridge
• Residents north of Timberline Ridge and on the east side of Butler Creek Road
• Indreland and Buffalo Speedway areas, including Buffalo Speedway and Indreland Lane east of Buffalo Speedway, and streets accessed off Buffalo Speedway such as Kit Lane, Karamu Lane, Patinella Court, and Brow Tine Drive.
Although evacuation warnings and orders have ended, MCSO said on social media there are still fire operations happening in the area.
Emergency vehicles will still be along roadways and access points to the fire lines.
People are asked to slow down, yield to emergency vehicles and be careful as traffic is expected to be more congested than usual.
UPDATE: July 23 at 10:10 a.m.
The Butler Creek Fire is burning 307 acres and is 15% contained as of Tuesday morning.
According to a release from the Lolo National Forest, smoke from regional Montana fires and from Canada are decreasing air quality in the Butler Creek fire area.
Community members should adhere to measures to lessen smoke exposure when air quality is poor.
Fire crews worked on building a handline and dozers worked on establishing a line along the fire's north flank Monday.
Helicopters dropped water to cool hotspots and minimize fire spread while firefighters built containment lines along the west flank.
Engine crews sprayed water over hotspots to keep flare-ups from happening.
Mop-up operations took place along the perimeter, sytematically monitoring along a grid 100 feet into the fire's perimeter to identify and put out remaining heat.
For Tuesday's agenda, firefighters will work on finding and extinguishing remaining heat along the north and west flanks.
Crews will escalate mop-up operations to secure control lines, cold lining/trailing up to one chain into the burned area to make sure the fire stays within contained lines.
UPDATE: July 22 at 7:50 p.m.
OvernightMissoulaCountysawthesparkofanotherwildfireinourarea.TheButlerCreekfirelocatedaboutsevenmilesnorthwestofMissoula.It'sgrownover300acressinceabout1:30thismorning
The DNRC along with local fire officials and the Missoula County Sheriff's Office are providing wraparound services on this fire.
There are currently two helicopters dropping water dozers on the ground and a growing number of personnel at the scene.
Fire officials were able to get a look at the fire from the air saying it's a little over 300 acres and seems to be moving toward Evaro Hill.
The Missoula County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation warning and evacuation orders for two areas near Butler Creek and Lavelle Creek Monday morning.
The order changed to a warning only for the Indreland and Buffalo Speedway zone.
UPDATE: July 22 at 12:44 p.m.
A new fire started west of Butler Creek Road, west of Missoula, around 1:30 a.m. Monday.
The Butler Creek Fire is sized at about 220 acres in grass and dense timber and is zero-percent contained.
According to a release from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Missoula Rural Fire Department firefighters responded to the fire followed by the DNRC.
More resources were requested at 8 a.m. and a Type 3 team took over managing of the fire.
At this time, crews are working to remove vegetation to make fuel breaks and minimize the spread of the fire.
Crews are working on building a dozer line and helicopters are dumping water buckets to cool the fire's edge and slow its growth.
Evacuation Orders are in place for residents in the Indreland and Buffalo Speedway Zone and West Butler Lavelle Creek Zone areas.
Evacuation Warnings are in placeeast side of Butler Creek road from the intersection of Lavelle Creek road to Eloise Way on Point Six Road, including Butler View Lane, portions of Butler Ford Road and Dodd Ranch Road.
A shelter for evacuees is set up atChrist the King Catholic Church, located at 1400 Gerald Avenue.
UPDATE: July 22 at 7:23 a.m.
The following is a press release from Montana Red Cross:
Montana Red Cross is opening an evacuation shelter in Missoula for those displaced by the Butler Creek wildfire.
The Red Cross shelter is located at the Christ the King Catholic Church, 1400 Gerald Ave., and will provide a safe place to stay, meals, information, emotional support and access to other community resources. Everyone is welcome at a Red Cross shelter regardless of nationality, cultural background or citizenship. All services are free, and no reservations are required.
Families who need services may also call the Montana Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS.
For up-to-date information and alerts about emergencies in your area, download the Red Cross emergency app from your app store. It’s free and available to both iPhone and Android users.
WHAT TO BRING:
Your safety is most important – grab your loved ones and get out of harm’s way. However, if you do have time to pack, please consider bringing these items:
· Bedding
· Clothing
· Medications
· Your child’s stuffed animal, blanket and toys
· Your emergency kit
Red Cross urges everyone to be prepared should wildfire occur in your area. Follow the steps below to keep your family safe.
· Gather your family or household members and delegate responsibilities.
· Assemble an emergency kit to take with you when you evacuate. For a detailed list of items to include visit www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html
· Prepare an information kit with important documents like medical, banking and insurance records.
· Save a list of emergency numbers on every cellphone.
· Plan ahead for your pets and livestock.
· Identify a place to meet in case you are separated.
· Plan and practice several evacuation routes from your neighborhood.
If an evacuation is imminent:
· Tune in to local radio and television stations for updated emergency information. Download the Red Cross emergency app.
· Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing (but not locking) windows and doors. Close curtains, shutters, and blinds. Use the recycle mode on your air conditioner.
· Turn on exterior lights.
· Remove flammable items from decks and porches.
· Open gates for animals that cannot be evacuated.
· Connect a hose to an outside spigot, mark any water sources on your property, and leave a ladder for firefighters.
· Put your emergency kit in your car. Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape, with windows closed and keys in the ignition.
· Put your best driver at the wheel. Turn on lights, drive slowly and watch out for emergency vehicles.
Evacuate as soon as the order is given. Don’t delay.
HOW TO DONATE
Help people affected by disasters big and small like wildfires by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food and other emergency assistance in response to disasters. Visit montanaredcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to American Red Cross of Montana, 1300 28th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.
VOLUNTEER. Train as a Red Cross volunteer to be ready to help during a disaster right here in Montana. Go to redcross.org/volunteer to start your application.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or facebook.com/redcrossmontana.
UPDATE: July 22 at 6:53 a.m.
Evacuation Warning
An evacuation warning is in place for the Butler Creek Fire in Missoula County for the East Butler Creek Zone.
The warning includesresidents on the east side of Butler Creek road from the intersection of Lavelle Creek road to Eloise Way on Point Six Road, including Butler View Lane, portions of Butler Ford Road, and Dodd Ranch Road.
Evacuation Order
MISSOULA, Mont. - An evacuation order is in place for the Butler Creek Fire in Missoula County Monday.
Residents in the Indreland and Buffalo Speedway Zone and West Butler Lavelle Creek Zone areas are asked to leave immediately.
Missoula County Sheriff's Office said on social media:
"Indreland and Buffalo Speedway zone includes all of Buffalo Speedway, Indreland Lane east of Buffalo Speedway. This include streets accessed off of Buffalo Speedway including Kit Lane, Karamu Lane, Patinella Court and Brow Tine Drive.
The West Butler Lavelle Creek Zone includes all of Lavelle Creek and residents on the west side of Butler Creek Road."
