In anticipation of a significant wind event and predicted extreme fire behavior, the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has expanded the Roaring Lion Fire Stage 2 Evacuation Order to include Wyant Lane south to Camas Creek.
Undersheriff Steve Holton said Stage 1 Alert and Warning has been put in effect for the area north of Wyant Lane to Blodgett Camp Road, this includes North Canyon Drive and Canyon Creek Road.
Stage 2 Evacuation Request means that it is necessary to evacuate in order to protect the lives of area occupants and emergency personnel responding to the fire.
Stage 1 Evacuation Alert and Warning means that there is a high probability of the need to evacuate because of the expected fire behavior. Residents should make arrangements to move property and livestock, and prepare to evacuate with short notice.
Evacuation information can be found on the Ravalli County Sheriff’s mobile app for smart phones, and on the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Facebook page, or by calling the Ravalli County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 375-6650. The EOC has compiled information for help re-locating livestock and other needs.
A Red Cross evacuation center is established at the River Church located on Lewis Lane at Cooper Lane. The center offers meals, shelter, and showers.
Holton pointed out that because of the severe danger posed today by the Roaring Lion Fire, people were encouraged not to return to evacuated areas and would not be allowed in the Stage 2 area to provide for public and fire fighter safety. Holton stated that public and fire fighter safety is the top priority in this incident, and thanked the area residents for their support of the fire crews and cooperation in keeping this incident as safe as possible.