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A fast-moving wildfire forced residents in the Butler Creek Road, LaValle Creek Road, Indreland Lane and Buffalo Speedway areas to evacuate immediately Monday morning as the flames spread across the Butler Creek area.Â
The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office announced the evacuation order minutes after 6 a.m. Monday. Co-Incident Commander Ron Lubke with Missoula Rural Fire Department estimated the fire was about 220–250 acres by 7:45 a.m.Â
A hotspot within the Butler Creek fire sends smoke into the air above the ridge between the Butler Creek and LaValle drainages the morning of Monday, July 22, 2024. The fire burned about 220–250 acres early that morning, according to incident commanders, forcing the evacuation of area residents.
“Due to the emerging Butler Creek fire, an EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for the Indreland and Buffalo Speedway zone and the West Butler LaValle Creek Zone. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!” the agency stated. “Indreland and Buffalo Speedway zone includes all of Buffalo Speedway, Indreland Lane east of Buffalo Speedway. This include streets accessed off of Buffalo Speedway including Kit Lane, Karamu Lane, Patinella Court and Brow Tine Drive.
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The Missoula County Sheriff’s Department issued an evacuation order Monday morning for residents of the Indreland and Buffalo Speedway zone and the West Butler Lavelle Creek Zone. Indreland and Buffalo Speedway zone includes all of Buffalo Speedway, Indreland Lane east of Buffalo Speedway. This includes streets accessed off of Buffalo Speedway including Kit Lane, Karamu Lane, Patinella Court and Brow Tine Drive.
The West Butler Lavelle Creek Zone includes all of Lavelle Creek and residents on the west side of Butler Creek Road.
Crews were dispatched to the Butler Creek fire at 1:20 a.m. Monday, according to interagency dispatch records, which showed the fire as 20 acres by 4 a.m. It was unclear how it affected any of the numerous homes in the rural residential area. The sheriff’s office described the fire as an “emerging” incident.
