POLSON — Evacuations have been ordered near Polson due to a wildfire.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Skidoo Lane and Finley Point as well as between mile marker 6 and mile marker 12 on Montana Highway 35.
Highway 35 remains closed between Polson and Yellow Bay, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.
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Winds pushed the Boulder fire across Highway 35 at mile marker 10 and toward Flathead Lake, the Finley Point/Yellow Bay Fire Department reports.
Additionally, anyone south of mile marker 6 on Highway 35 should be prepared for possible evacuations.
The Polson Chamber of Commerce says resources and help are available for anyone displaced by the fire. Anyone in need of anything can message the Chamber directly on Facebook or Instagram, or send a text to 406-544-2162.
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UPDATE - 7:55 pm, 7/31/21 - All evacuation orders have been lifted, according to officials. All access roads to the Boulder and Lake to Sky area are closed to non residents.
Crews are continuing firefighting operations.
A Facebook post by the Finley Point/Yellow Bay Fire Department reads: All evacuation orders have been lifted…any further information will be updated here on our Facebook page. Other resources for information and updates can be found on CSKT Division of Fires site and from the Office of Emergency Management.
All access roads to the Boulder and Lake to Sky area are closed to non residents. Fire suppression operations will be on going. Please avoid Skidoo Bay with all watercraft as air operations will also continue for at least the next couple of days.
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ORIGINAL POST - 12:37 PM, 7/31/21 - A wildfire reported Saturday morning near Polson has forced officials to order some evacuations and close a highway.
The Boulder 2700 Fire is burning in the Mission Mountains east of Flathead Lake and eight miles east of Polson, according to a Facebook postby the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Division of Fire.
Evacuations have been ordered for homes below the fire on Highway 35, which has been closed in the area to reduce the risk to firefighters and the public, the agency said. The Lake County Sheriff's Office and local rural fire departments are handling the evacuations.
The B-2700 road off of Highway 35 has also been closed.
The fire was initially estimated at 150 acres and burning in a steep area with heavy downed fuels, the post states.
Fire activity was expected to increase throughout the day.
The fire is believed to be human-caused and is under investigation.
Anyone with questions or concerns regarding this fire should contact the Division of Fire at 676-2550 or contact C.T. Camel, Fire Information Officer, at 406-676-2550 ext. 6407 or email: ct.camel@cskt.org
