In Sanders County, the evacuation area has been increased for fires burning in the Bull River Valley near Noxon.
Tom Rummel, the Sheriff in Sanders county says the evacuation area now includes Highway 56 between mile marker 2.7 and mile-marker 8, and the East Fork of the Bull River is evacuated starting at 8 mile. Rummel says the expanded evacuation order was issued about 1:30 p.m.
"All of the fires have increased in size, and the wind has picked up. We’re supposed to expect high winds tomorrow, and in light of the high winds and the increasing fire size, we’re going to air on the side of caution," Rummel says.
Fire Information Officer John Head says firefighters are concentrating their efforts on protecting private property along the bottom slopes of the Napoleon fire by building defensive line and laying hoses. A type-2 team will be taking over management of that fire later tonight.
A Red Cross emergency shelter has been set up in Noxon for evacuees. Call 406-283-1577 for more information.
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