Fire Watch

UPDATE: MT National Guard called in for security of Pine Creek fire

Posted: Aug 31, 2012 11:24 AM by MTN News

UPDATE: The National Guard has been called in to work security on the Pine Creek Fire.

The unarmed security men from the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, out of Belgrade are on scene to keep people from crossing the fire lines.

A fire perimeter is set up along the Yellowstone River. Checkpoints include, to the north - East River Road and Highway 89; middle checkpoint - west of the river on Pine Creek Road; and south checkpoint - on the southern end of fire perimeter on East River Road.

LIVINGSTON - The Pine Creek fire south of Livingston is now more than 12,000 acres in size.

Fire managers said Thursday was an active day for the fire which made a one mile run to the south. Dozens of firefighters are on the ground and being assisted from the air by planes dropping fire retardant and helicopters doing bucket drops.

Officials expect additional resources to arrive Friday morning and said a Northern Rockies Interagency Incident Management Team will be taking over.

This fire has been burning since Wednesday, August 29. How it started is still unknown. The Pine Creek Café, school and church were not burned in the fire. There have been a few minor injuries to the public and firefighters, but no firefighters have been killed.

East River Road remains closed from highway 89 to Pine Creek Campground Road. Around 70 people have been evacuated from their homes on Deep Creek Road, Deep Creek Bench Road, Deep Creek South Road, and Pool Creek Road. The evacuation also includes all areas south of Pool Creek to Barney Creek.

The U.S. Postal service is not able to deliver mail due to the fire and area closures. People not getting their mail can pick it up at the Annex on Jefferson Street in Livingston after 10 a.m.