The Saturday morning update for the Sharrott Creek Fire can be found here.
(fourth report: 9 p.m. - August 23, 2024)
Evacuation orders have been issued near the 1,600-acre Sharrott Creek Fire burning outside of Stevensville.
Residents in the areas of the evacuation order need to leave the area immediately.
The following residential areas are now under an evacuation order:
- Kootenai Creek, west of the intersection of Timber Trail, to include residences on Timber Trail.
- The west side of Sharrott Hill Loop, to include residences on Blue Grouse Lane, Redtail Hawk Lane, and Porcupine Lane.
- Marmot Lane west of Saint Mary's Road.
- Saint Mary's Lookout Road, west of the intersection of Saint Mary's Road.
The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office states provided the following information:
An Evacuation Order means:
This is the time to move out of the area IMMEDIATELY for safety reasons. This is not the time to move personal property and livestock. If you choose to ignore the order, you must understand that emergency responders MAY NOT BE ABLE TO assist you, and no other persons will be allowed into the area.
Download the RCSO app for smart devices for evacuation information. Drive in a safe and orderly fashion on designated routes only. Be on the lookout for fast moving emergency vehicles. Remaining calm and putting your pre-planned actions in motion will be the best way to keep you and your family safe. Please do not remove any exterior flagging or markings that have been placed outside your home. These marking help emergency responders identify who has or has not received notifications.
The Red Cross has been notified and is working to set up an evacuation center. As details are available on the shelter they will be published on the Ravalli County Sheriff's App.
Big Sky Horse Park in Missoula is offering their stalls for horses:
(third report: 8:30 p.m. - August 23, 2024)
The Sharrott Creek Fire near St. Mary Peak west of Stevensville jumped to 1600 areas Friday evening.
Resources are responding and more information will be available as soon as possible.
(second report: 5:30 p.m. - August 23, 2024)
The Sharrott Creek Fire near St. Mary Peak west of Stevensville is estimated at 300 acres Friday evening.
The fire is being pushed by heavy winds from a storm that moved across the area.
The Bitterroot National Forest reports air attack is on scene and additional aviation and fire resources are being ordered.
Smoke is visible from Stevensville, U.S. Highway 93, and surrounding areas.
Bitterroot National Forest spokeswoman Alexandra Stewart reports that 25 to 30 firefighters are on the scene.
Stewart stated in a Friday evening update that the fire is running, torching with long-range spotting uphill and to the north.
Future closures can be expected in the Kootenai Creek, St. Mary’s Trail, Big Creek and Bass Creek areas.
Stewart says the lightning-sparked blaze was first reported at 3:45 p.m. on Friday.
A command post has been set up at Super 1 Foods.
An evacuation warning is in effect for the following areas:
The evacuation warning is in place for:
- North Kootenai Creek Road and west of Wankantanka Way.
- Kootenai Creek Road West of Sharrott Hill Loop
- West of Salish Trail
- West of the intersection of Saint Marys Road and Salish Trail
- West of Saint Mary's Road to the intersection of Indian Prairie Loop
(first report: 5:03 p.m. - August 23, 2024)
The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation warnings due to a new wildfire that's burning outside of Stevensville.
The Sharrott Fire sparked on Friday afternoon in the Saint Mary's Peak area.
The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office is currently going door to door in the warning area.
The evacuation warning is in place for:
- North Kootenai Creek Road and west of Wankantanka Way.
- Kootenai Creek Road West of Sharrott Hill Loop
- West of Salish Trail
- West of the intersection of Saint Marys Road and Salish Trail
- West of Saint Marys Road to the intersection of Indian Prairie Loop
The Sheriff's Office notes when an evacuation warning is issued, residents should prepare to evacuate. Also, locate somewhere to place pets and livestock in case an evacuation order is issued.
- Locate and pack important documents, irreplaceable items, medications and necessities.
- Residents with health or mobility concerns should consider evacuating during this stage.
- Move mobile property, livestock or pets if possible.
- Download the Ravalli County Sheriff's app (powered by OCV with the black icon background) for timely information and evacuation status changes.
- Enroll in Hyper-Reach to receive emergency notifications from Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management. Residents can log in to Hyper-Reach using the links on the Ravalli County Web Page or Ravalli County Sheriff's app.
