Fire brewing south of Eureka, evacuations ordered

Sparked by lightning Monday night, a 500-acre wildfire was brewing south of Eureka. The fire was burning in the northeast canyon above Hood Drive according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Evacuations were ordered early Tuesday morning for Sherman Creek Road, Griffith Creek Road, Therriault Creek Road, North Stevens Creek Road and the Graves Creek Road and a pre-evacuation notice was issued for East Glenn Lake Road to Stevens Road. At least 30 homes were evacuated. The Red Cross set up a shelter at the First Church of God. It also has a dog park, for people who have pets.

Monday night saw dry thunderstorms roll through the area, including Glacier National Park and the North Fork of the Flathead.

Park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said there have been smoke reports in the Belton Hills and in Big Prairie up the North Fork, though no confirmed fires as of presstime. Crews were investigating them.

The Flathead Valley had smoky skies Tuesday morning, making fires difficult to spot.

Stage II fire restrictions are in effect, meaning no campfires, no smoking outside a cleared area and no off-road use of motor vehicles.