ELMO – The CSKT Fire Department reports that the Elmo 2 Fire has grown to approximately 7,000 acres since it broke out Friday afternoon. Evacuations have been lifted for residents along Montana Highway 28, according to a social media post from Lake County officials. However, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management notes that residents should contact law enforcement upon their return. Additionally, OEM notes that people in the Black Lake and Lake Mary Ronan area should be prepared to evacuate if the Elmo 2 Fire moves in that direction. The Montana Department of Transportation says Highway 28 is still closed between milepost 36.0 and 46.7 due to a fire. Road closure on MT-28 from milepost 36.0 to 46.7 … https://t.co/TB0JmQiqb0 — MDT Road Report (@mdtroadreport) July 30, 2022 Drivers along US Highway 93 should be aware of fire personnel in the area and are asked not to stop in the area. Boaters should stay away from the Elmo Bay area of Flathead Lake due to firefighting aircraft in the area. The Red Cross says 16 people used an evacuation shelter set up at Linderman School in Polson Friday night. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks evacuated and closed Big Arm and Lake Mary Ronan State Parks due to the Elmo 2 Fire. Mission Power Valley reports crews are working to restore power to the Elmo substation after it was out Friday afternoon due to the fire. MTN news Watch: A helicopter drops water on the Elmo 2 Fire on the morning of July 30, 2022: RAW VIDEO: Airstrike on Elmo 2 Fire – information from Newsy’s Mark Thorsell, Melissa Rafferty and Maritsa Georgiou included in this report. (first reported: 8:16 PM – July 30, 2022) ELMO – The fire that broke out in the Elmo area Friday afternoon has grown to about 4,000 acres. The Montana DNRC Wildfire Dashboard reports the Elmo 2 fire as 0% contained. According to the Polson City Fire Department, the evacuation zone has been extended to Lake Mary Ronan Road from mile marker 5 to US Highway 93. Evacuations of several homes in the Elmo area were previously ordered. Butch Larcombe A section of Montana Highway 28 and Lake Mary Ronan Road remains closed due to the fire. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks says Big Arm and Lake Mary Ronan state parks have been evacuated and are closed until further notice. A Red Cross shelter for firefighters was set up late Friday at Linderman School in Polson. Kiana Wilson/MTN News Lake County Sheriff Don Bell is asking boaters to avoid the Elmo Bay area where aircraft are gathering water to fight the fire. The Montana DNRC Wildfire Dashboard reports the fire as human-caused. The Polson Chamber of Commerce announced that a free pancake breakfast will be provided for evacuees staying at Linderman Gym. Please note that donations or additional volunteers are not needed at this time.
