Butler Creek Fire Rages Near Missoula

MISSOULA — The Butler Creek Fire north of Missoula has burned 220 acres and remains 0% contained as of late Monday morning.

An evacuation order remains in effect for the West Butler Lavelle Creek area.

The previous evacuation order for the Indreland and Buffalo Speedway area has been lowered to an evacuation warning.

The area covered by the change includes all of Buffalo Speedway, Indreland Lane east of Buffalo Speedway and streets accessible from Buffalo Speedway such as Kit Lane, Karamu Lane, Patinella Court and Brow Tine Drive.

The American Red Cross of Montana has opened an evacuation shelter at Christ the King Catholic Church (1400 Gerald Avenue) in Missoula. Red Cross services are free and available to all affected individuals. Those in need of assistance can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

MTN News

The Missoula Rural Fire District responded to the fire at 1:30 a.m. Monday and was quickly joined by the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC).

According to a news release, multiple agencies responded to the fire, which is burning west of Butler Creek Road in thick grass and timber.

Additional resources were ordered and a local Type 3 team took command at 8am.

Crews worked to clear vegetation and create a solid firebreak. Two helicopters dropped buckets of water on the fire to cool the banks and reduce the spread.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Home and property owners can sign up to receive emergency alerts at Smart911.com.