Updated 6/15/21 10:30 PM:
The Custer Gallatin National Forest says evacuation orders have expanded again due to the Robertson Draw Fire.
In a 10 P.M. update to Facebook, the forest writes:
The Robertson Draw Fire has been very actively burning along the east side of Line Creak Plateau and has moved around Mount Maurice. We are providing this summary in an effort to consolidate the evacuation orders currently in place.
Evacuation Orders:
• Area south of Highway 308 from Red Lodge to Highway 72, east of 72 to the Wyoming border. This excludes the town of Bearcreek and Belfry.
• The area west of Meeteetse Trail Road, and the east side of Highway 212 from Meeteetse Trail Road to Westminster Spires Church Camp.
• USDA Forest Service Recreation Residences in Corral Creek, Spring Creek, Snow Creek, and Sheep Creek.
• All campgrounds, dispersed camping and trailheads from the Lake Fork north to Red Lodge including the dispersed camping area just west of the Lake Fork Road.
Evacuation Warnings:
• Town of Bearcreek
An Evacuation Order means that you should leave your home immediately. An evacuation warning is issued from the county sheriff and alerts people to be ready to go if needed. People with medical, functional, or other needs should consider evacuating if possible
A shelter has been set up at the Red Lodge Community Church at 308 S. Broadway. Small pets are welcome as long as they are restrained.
The Red Cross will be setting up a shelter at the Veteran Memorial Civic Center in Red Lodge at 215 14th Street West.
The Robertson Draw Fire, burning south of Red Lodge, Montana along the eastern edge of the Beartooth Front, is seeing intense fire activity this afternoon. The area remains under a Red Flag Warning until 6 am. tomorrow, June 16.
#robertsondrawfire
Red Lodge Fire Rescue
US Forest Service - Shoshone National Forest
Updated 6/15/21 at 9 PM:
A large area south of Red Lodge has been evacuated due to the Robertson Draw Fire, which burned intensely and dynamically Tuesday.
Fire information officer Billy Chapman last night said the evacuation order extends from Red Lodge east of Meeteetse Trail Road, north of the Wyoming border, west of Highway 72 up to Wolf Creek Road, and south of Wolf Creek Road and Highway 308. The town of Bearcreek is under an evacuation warning.
Homes to the east side of Highway 212 from Meeteetse Trail Road to Westminster Spires Church Camp are also evacuated.
Beartooth Highway remained open as of 8:30 Tuesday night.
A shelter for evacuees is set up at the Red Lodge Community Church at 308 South Broadway Avenue. The Red Cross is working on another shelter at the Veteran Memorial Civic Center in Red Lodge.
The Beartooth Humane Alliance is offering temporary shelter for cats, dogs, horses and other pets.
In an interview around 7:30 Tuesday night, Fire information Officer Chapman said the smoke plume of the fire had grown significantly.
"The smoke plume has grown significantly. It's fairly large at the moment, coming up over the whole eastern side of town. I actually can't see the flames anymore [garbled] but earlier you could see flames up on the eastern side of Mount Maurice."
The Robertson Draw Fire grew by nearly 2,000 acres overnight Monday. Additional resources have been ordered and are expected to arrive Wednesday.
Firefighters are focused on point protection. They anticipated growth of the fire Tuesday due to critical fire weather conditions.
The Robertson Draw Fireburning south of Red Lodge in the Custer Gallatin National Forest is seeing increased fire activity this afternoon as temperatures approach record highs. The fire was estimated at 2,000 acres as of this morning.
Evacuation orders are back in place for an unknown number of homes in the Gold Creek, Ruby Creek, North Grove Creek and South Grove Creek drainages.
The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office has also extended an evacuation warning for the area west of Meeteetse Trail Road, and the east side of Highway 212 from Meeteetse Trail Road to Westminster Spires Church Camp. People with medical, functional, or other needs should consider evacuating if possible.
The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office says a shelter is being set up for evacuees at the Red Lodge Community Church on South Broadway Avenue. The Red Cross is working on another shelter, details will be posted to the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
The Beartooth Humane Alliance is offering temporary shelter for cats, dogs, horses and other pets. BHA says to call (406) 446-3500 for help.
The Beartooth Highway is currently open.
Fire crews, engines and helicopters are working to keep the fire in sagebrush and timber north of Line Creek; west of the Forest Service boundary along the face of the Beartooths; and east of the Line Creek plateau.
According to the Custer Gallatin National Forest, a virtual public meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled because firefighters are needed on the fireline, given the intense fire behavior and dynamic situation.
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