UPDATE: 9pm – August 23, 2024
Evacuation orders have been issued near the 1,600-acre Sharrott Creek Fire outside Stevensville.
Residents in areas subject to an evacuation order must leave immediately.
An evacuation order is currently in effect for the following residential areas:
- Kootenai Creek, west of the Timber Trail junction, including the Timber Trail homes.
- The west side of Sharrott Hill Loop, including 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 released the following information:
An evacuation order means:
For safety reasons, you must now leave the area IMMEDIATELY. Personal property and livestock must not be removed at this time. If you choose to ignore the order, you must understand that emergency personnel may not be able to help you and that no other persons are allowed to enter the area.
Download the RCSO app for smart devices to receive evacuation information. Drive safely and in an orderly manner only on designated routes. Watch for fast-moving emergency vehicles. Staying calm and implementing your pre-planned actions is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Please do not remove any outdoor markings or signs that have been placed outside your home. These markings help emergency responders identify who has received a notification and who has not.
The Red Cross has been notified and is working to set up an evacuation center. As soon as shelter details are available, they will be posted on the Ravalli County Sheriff’s app.
The Big Sky Horse Park in Missoula offers its stables for horses:
(third report: 8:30 p.m. – August 23, 2024)
The Sharrott Creek Fire near St. Mary Peak west of Stevensville spread to 1,600 areas Friday evening.
The resources are being processed and further 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 was estimated to be 300 acres in size Friday evening.
The fire is being driven further by strong winds from a storm that has passed through the area.
The Bitterroot National Forest is reporting an airstrike on site and additional aviation and fire resources are being requested.
Smoke is visible from Stevensville, US Highway 93 and surrounding areas.
Bitterroot National Forest spokeswoman Alexandra Stewart reports that 25 to 30 firefighters are on site.
Stewart said in an update Friday evening that the fire was raging and could be seen from a great distance uphill and to the north.
Future closures are expected in the Kootenai Creek, St. Mary’s Trail, Big Creek and Bass Creek areas.
Stewart says the fire, which was caused by lightning, was first reported at 3:45 p.m. Friday.
A command post has been set up at Super 1 Foods.
Steve Berro
An evacuation warning is in place for the following areas:
The evacuation warning applies to:
- North Kootenai Creek Road and west of Wankantanka Way.
- Kootenai Creek Road west of Sharrott Hill Loop
- West of the Salish Trail
- West of the intersection of Saint Marys Road and Salish Trail
- West of Saint Mary’s Road to the intersection with Indian Prairie Loop
(First reported: 5:03 p.m. – August 23, 2024)
The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation warnings due to a new wildfire outside Stevensville.
The Sharrott fire broke out in the Saint Mary’s Peak area on Friday afternoon.
The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office is currently going door to door in the warning area.
The evacuation warning applies to:
- North Kootenai Creek Road and west of Wankantanka Way.
- Kootenai Creek Road west of Sharrott Hill Loop
- West of the Salish Trail
- West of the intersection of Saint Marys Road and Salish Trail
- West of Saint Marys Road to the intersection with Indian Prairie Loop
The sheriff’s office advises that if an evacuation warning is issued, residents should prepare to evacuate. Also, find a place to house pets and livestock in case an evacuation order is issued.
- Find and pack important documents, irreplaceable items, medications and everyday necessities.
- Residents with health problems or limited mobility should consider evacuation during this phase.
- If possible, transport movable property, livestock or pets.
- Download the Ravalli County Sheriff’s app (operated by OCV with black icon background) for up-to-date information and evacuation status changes.
- Sign up for Hyper-Reach to receive emergency alerts from the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management. Residents can sign up for Hyper-Reach using the links on the Ravalli County website or the Ravalli County Sheriff app.
