UPDATE: 1:20 p.m. - July 23, 2024
The Missoula County Sheriff's Office has lifted all evacuation orders and warnings in the area of the Butler Creek Fire. Evacuated residents were allowed to return home at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. (full update here)
(first report: 7:01 a.m. - July 23, 2024)
The Butler Creek Fire northwest of Missoula has grown slightly to 307 with containment increasing to 15% as of Tuesday morning.
- RELATED: Red Cross shelter open for Butler Creek fire evacuees
- RELATED: Benny's Frenchtown Club offering their services for Butler Creek Fire evacuees
An evacuation order issued by the Missoula County Sheriff's Office for residents on Lavelle Creek Road and on the west side of Butler Creek Road from Lavelle Creek Road to Timberline Ridge remains in effect.
Additionally, residents north of Timberline Ridge and on the east side of Butler Creek Road are under an evacuation warning.
An evacuation warning remains in effect for all of Buffalo Speedway and Indreland Lane east of Buffalo Speedway, as well as the streets accessed off Buffalo Speedway.
Fire officials told MTN on Monday that over 50 homes had been evacuated due to the fire. Click here to view the areas affected by evacuation orders and warnings.
Butler Creek Road is open to residents for necessary traffic only and drivers are asked to drive slowly through the area.
Crews will work on Tuesday to find and put out any remaining heat along the north and west flanks of the fire.
According to the Tuesday morning update, the blaze, which was reported early Monday morning, is human-caused.
