Residents in the areas affected by last summer's Lolo Creek fire complex were advised  by fire and sheriff's office personnel on Tuesday afternoon to prepare for possible flooding this spring.

Public Information Officer Paige Pavalone said that deputies were knocking on doors this week in the areas most affected by last summer's fire activity.

"There were about nine residences that were most at risk in that area for flash-flooding and debris overflow in addition to mainstream flooding which would just be rising waters in streams and rivers," Pavalone said. "The areas that were most badly burned seem to be at the most risk. It's described as if you were to drop water on a concrete dome, that's what we're up against if we get heavy rains. It will definitely kick up all that debris and all that leftover residue from the fires of last summer."

Pavalone said dealing with flash-flooding differs greatly from dealing with fire.

"If people see a lot of rain coming in a short amount of time, just get your things and get out of there," Pavalone said. "It's better to be safe than sorry. We also encourage people to sign up with Smart 9-1-1 and always be aware of what the weather situation is like around them. We also gave out rain gauges so that people could know just how much rain they're getting, because if we get a large volume of rain in a short amount of time, that's when we're going to see those flash-floods and debris overflow."

Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Paige Pavalone

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