Sawtooth Fire is 4,100 Acres – Officials Talk to Public
September 12, 2012 7:00 AM 
The Sawtooth Fire, west of Hamilton, is estimated at 4,100 acres and is now 15 percent contained, an audience heard at a public meeting Tuesday evening.
Tom Heintz, Incident Commander, and Chuck Oliver, Darby District Ranger, described the progression of the fire and others filled in details of the firefighters efforts to keep the fire out of area homes.
So far, one unoccupied outbuilding has burned, even though the fire caused an evacuation of almost 400 homes Monday.
Ravalli County Undersheriff Perry Johnson, who was Sheriff during the devastating Bitterroot fires of 2000, said that there is no firm timeline as to when the Stage 2 evacuation will go to Stage 3 – which is when people will be allowed to return.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The current Type 2 incident management team will be handing over the fire a Regional Type 1 Team Friday, as the weather forecasts call for continued dry conditions that preclude an early end to to the Sawtooth Fire.
More From KLYQ Hamilton
Ravalli County Sheriff Warns Against Web Rent Scam
Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Show Brings Out the Treasures
Steve Daines Explains Vote to Repeal Affordable Care Act, Talks About Twitter
Leave a Comment