Clarkston Fire Burns Buildings, Evacuation Notices Issued As Blaze Continues To Spread

A grass fire broke out near Clarkston, Montana, on Monday afternoon, burning over 1,500 acres and spewing smoke into the valley. Evacuations warnings were issued for people living near the wildfire.

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Captain Jason Jarrett said several buildings were damaged but could not say how many. “We don’t have a count yet as the fire is still active,” he said.

The Broadwater County Sheriff's Office said fire officials reached the location on Highway 12 East around 5:30 p.m. local time (7.30 p.m. EDT). The office also said there is no estimated time of containment due to windy conditions, ABC Fox Montana reported.

Sheriff Wynn Meehan said his deputies are personally contacting all homeowners affected by the fire, which included residents living in nine homes to the east of the fire and 10-12 homes to the west.

“The smoke plumes visible from the valley are caused by a fire outside of Clarkston. All fire departments in the area have sent trucks and firefighters. DNRC (the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) has planes and helicopters dropping water on the fire, and forest service smokejumpers are deployed. GCSO (Gallatin County Sheriff's Office) is also at the scene. Evacuation notices have been issued for nearby residences. Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary,” Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday evening.

According to reports, the fire was first reported around 3:30 p.m. local time (5.30 p.m. EDT) near Pole Gulch and Homestead roads. The caller reported smoke on the south side of Pole Gulch Road, which quickly grew and climbed up the hills to the east.

Jarrett said officials immediately worked to contact residents and let them know of the fire danger. The officials reached 13 of them. While some left the area, others stayed behind, local daily Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.

He also said most of the county’s fire departments responded to the fire, including departments in the western part of the valley and those closer to the town of Bozeman, who sent engines, water tenders and brush trucks to fight the blaze.

An incident command post was set up around 6.30 p.m. local time (8.30 p.m. EDT) near a cattle guard leading to residential areas. Officials blocked drivers from traveling any deeper into the area. Most of the people had already fled by then while some stayed around to watch the smoke climbing higher.