Ravalli County wildfire prompts evacuation preparations

MISSOULA, Mont. – Ravalli County authorities were warning some residents Wednesday to prepare for possible evacuations ahead of a wildfire burning in the Bitterroot National Forest.

The Missoulian reported the sheriff’s office said there was a high probability of evacuating the Gold Creek and Lost Horse Road areas near Lake Como.

The fire was discovered Friday about 10 miles southwest of Hamilton. Forest Service officials said Tuesday’s hot weather and high wind helped double the size of the blaze to just about 1 square mile as of Wednesday morning.

More than 110 firefighters were pulled off the line Tuesday afternoon as the fire spread quickly. Wind grounded at least one helicopter.

Fire crews were trying to secure the southern edge of the fire to keep it away from Lost Horse Road.