Mandatory Evacuations Ordered for Skibstad Fire
Incident: Skibstad Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/26/2012
July 26, 2012, 4:00pm, Billings, Montana - Stillwater County Commissioners signed a resolution this afternoon calling for mandatory evacuations of homes threatened by the Skibstad Fire. Included in the mandatory evacuation order is the Hermit Creek Subdivision and a stretch of Shane Creek Road from house numbers #565 through #981. Voluntary and/or pre-evacuation notices have been issued for some additional areas. A shelter for evacuees is established at the Columbus High School Gymnasium.
Incident command reports that firefighters are making progress, estimating the fire is 35% contained. However, there is still a lot of uncontained fireline, and the fire will continue to spread under active burning conditions this afternoon.
The Skibstad Fire is 3,213 acres, based on a flight over the fire earlier today. A Northern Rockies Incident Management Team will be briefed on the fire this evening.
A team has been ordered to investigate the cause of the Skibstad Fire. No injuries have been reported.
