The Sawtooth Fire Incident Command and the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office has expanded the Stage 1 Evacuation Warning Zone on the north end of the forest fire.

The decision was made because of the fire's progress Thursday and a National Weather Service forecast for more wind in the next 24 hours. A "Red Flag" warning has been issued for a large area in the Mountain West, including Ravalli County.

This is not an evacuation, but a warning that evacuation could come at a moment's notice.

The Stage 1 Warning for possible evacuation includes:

  • east of the intersection of Blodgett Camp Road and Canyon Creek Road to West Hills Way and north to Blodgett Creek
  • all roads that intersect West Hills Way, including Hilltop Drive and Tawny Drive
  • west of the intersection of Blodgett View Drive and Black Forest Drive
  • west of the intersection of Elk Ridge Road and Conifer Trail.
  • Again, this is not an evacuation, but an evacuation warning. Stage 2 is the actual evacuation and officers will go door-to-door to make sure that message is delivered.

    If you're in the Stage 1 zone, this is the time to get your important items together and make arrangements to move property and livestock. The Ravalli County Fairgrounds has shelter for livestock, but the owners are responsible for feed and water.

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