Harris Hill Fire burning north of Joliet.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, county emergency services, and Joliet Volunteer Fire, the evacuation orders are placed on the Cole Creek Road and Stene Road areas. Road closures include Cole Creek Road from Highway 212 to Bellion Road, all of Bellion Road, and both entrances of Farewell Road.
As of the press release at noon, no structure losses were reported.
Fire and county officials say the fire was caused by lightning and is burning about 2,500 acres with 0% containment.
According to a Facebook post by the Red Lodge Fire Rescue a Red Lodge Fire engine was burned over Friday while fighting the Harris Fire. The post says the two-person engine crew was attacking the fire when the wind suddenly shifted and the fire overtook them. One of the firefighters who suffered severe burns was flown to Salt Lake City for treatment.
Missoulian Staff
A new fire in the forest near Garnet Ghost Town helped confound weekend plans across western Montana as smoke inversions reached unhealthy levels on Friday.
The Bureau of Land Management temporarily closed the historic site and surrounding area for public safety and to clear roads for firefighters. The closure order affects most of the southwestern portion of the Garnet Mountains, from Elevation Mountain on the northeast to I-90 on the south.
Some major landmarks within this closed area are Garnet Ghost Town, Garnet Range Road, Elevation Mountain, Douglas Creek, Mulkey Gulch, Bear Gulch, Deep Creek, Elk Creek, Gambler Gulch, First Chance Gulch, Cave Gulch and Top Oâ Deep, and Keno and Kennedy roads.
BLM closes Garnet Ghost Town and surrounding area due to wildfire
(MISSOULA, Mont.) – Due to a wildfire burning about a mile east of Garnet Ghost Town, the Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed the historic site and surrounding area for public safety and to allow firefighters to conduct suppression activities.
The closure order takes effect immediately for BLM lands in most of the southwestern portion of the Garnet Mountains from Elevation Mountain on the northeast to I-90 on the south. Some major landmarks within this closed area are Garnet Ghost Town, Garnet Range Road, Elevation Mountain, Douglas Creek, Mulkey Gulch, Bear Gulch, Deep Creek, Elk Creek, Gambler Gulch, First Chance Gulch, Cave Gulch and Top O’ Deep, and Keno and Kennedy roads.