Montana News Roundup: Evacuations for Latest Fire

A fast-moving fire south of Hamilton as firefighters on full attack as they try and slow the spread of the Observation Point Fire.

The fire was first spotted early yesterday afternoon, prompting a quick response and aerial attack within minutes of the smoke being confirmed along Lost Horse Road. Bitterroot National Forest says 80 firefighters were on scene, with three large air tankers, four helicopters, and five Forest Service engines, along with numerous engines from Valley fire departments assisting with structure protection.

Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton ordered evacuations along portions of Lost Horse Road and surrounding roads as a precaution. The Red Cross set up an evacuation center at the Assembly of God Church.

EVACUATION NOTICE: Residents on the north side of Lost Horse Road from approximately the 300 block west. This includes Silver Ridge Road, Ruff Road, and Moose Creek Road.

EVACUATION WARNING: Residents on the south side of Lost Horse Road from approximately the 300 block west. Also residents on Blue Jay Lane, Fleet Street, and the west/south side of Hayes Creek Road between the intersections of Camas Creek Loop and Blue Jay Lane.- Ravalli Co Sheriff

        As of last night's mapping, the blaze had burned just under 100 acres.

More fire weather expected

We'll be watching for additional fire weather warnings in the forecast as we move into the weekend, and especially next week, as temperatures look to spike again, along with the potential for gusty winds and active thunderstorms, starting over Southwest Montana later today.

Missoula still coping with tree damage a year after hurricane-force winds

Don't blame Missoulians if you hear them swapping some stories today, as the city marks the first anniversary of the severe windstorm that slammed the city with hurricane-force winds, causing millions of dollars in damage.

     Lee Ann Erickson was among those who had a close call.

City Forester Ben Carson says the city is still dealing with the removal of stumps from some of the thousands of trees that were lost in Missoula's urban forest. And there's still work to do for years.

"Then we can really get into assessing trees that have been damaged, but didn't meet qualifications for removal within the parameters of the FEMA response," Carson explains.

"And so we don't know what that level of damage is. We're going to be seeing things, or getting calls on things for 10 years, I imagine."

     Carson says the city hopes to do more to promote tree maintenance in the future, so the remainder of the forest is more resilient against future storms.

More info expected on the latest Billings Murder

Billings Police continue to piece together details of the city's murder. Initially, responding officers thought the shooting had happened in the parking lot at Billings Clinic, but then discovered the victim had been taken there by private ambulance. The victim, whose identity has been released, was attacked in the 700 block of Cook Avenue, and a person of interest arrested.

Stung by Montana Grocery Prices? You're not shopping in the right place

      If you're struggling with Montana grocery prices, you might not be looking in the right place, as Chris Wolfe explains.