UPDATE: Miller Peak Fire Near Missoula Grows to 400 Acres

UPDATE - 7/15/24 12:46 pm: Happy Paws has shared via an app alert, "The fire evacuation zone has been updated and Happy Paws is no longer in the evacuation warning zone."

UPDATE - 7/15/24: Expect fire crews to work hard, especially with the aerial attack today, as they try and get a handle on the new Miller Peak Fire southwest of Missoula.

Lolo National Forest says the latest maps show the fire grew to more than 400 acres, with some estimates as high as 500 acres late last night.

The fire is burning in steep terrain above Plant Creek, about 8-air miles from Missoula. It started Sunday afternoon.

Residents at the handful of homes in the vicinity have been placed on an Evacuation Warning by the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. That's for people living between mile markers 13-15 along Miller Creek Road and houses from 14380 Upper Miller Creek Road to 7018 Upper Miller Creek Road. They're being contacted by deputies and warned to be on standby in case conditions change.

Local Business Happy Paws is located within the Evacuation Warning area and has alerted customers via app alert and Facebook that they "will not be providing daycare today or tomorrow (the 15th and 16th)." They go on to say "This could be extended, as fire conditions can change quickly."

Weather will continue to be challenging on this blaze, with winds of 10-20 miles per hour during the afternoon out of the WNW.

ORIGINAL STORY SUNDAY AFTERNOON:

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Miller Peak Fire is currently burning not far from Missoula.

I spoke with Lolo National Forest Public Information Officer Anna Bateson just after 6:00 p.m. on Sunday about the fire.

“The name of the fire is Miller Peak Fire,” began Bateson. “It's located in the Plant Creek Drainage around Miller Peak, in the Miller Creek area southeast of Missoula, eight miles, and it is currently estimated at 150 acres. It is showing active fire behavior, and the cause is under investigation.”

The Miller Peak Fire was at 150 Acres as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Bateson said the fire is being fought with both ground and air resources.

"They've got ground and air resources on the fire,” she said. “The air resources are on it right now (as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday). There are both air and ground resources and more were in route. I'm not sure if they're on scene yet.”

Both Ground and Air Resources Are on the Fire

Bateson said there are homes in the area, but the prevailing winds are sending the fire up the Miller Creek Drainage.

“I believe there are homes just below it. The information I have is that the fire was moving northeast up the Miller Creek drainage. Stay tuned for more information. It'll be posted on the Lolo National Forest Facebook page.”

Click here to see details from the Lolo National Forest.