Evacuations ordered for residents near Skillet Fire
Daily Inter Lake | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 week, 5 days AGO
A helicopter works to contain the Skillet Fire west of Olney on July 31, 2026. (Inciweb photo)
Residents in the Good Creek, Alder Creek and Gregg Creek areas near Olney were ordered to evacuate Saturday afternoon as high winds fanned a nearby wildfire.
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Hieno issued the evacuations as the Skillet Fire grew to 1,318 acres amid the dangerous fire weather. A red flag warning was put in place at 2 p.m. Saturday, with gusts of 50 mph expected along with low humidity.
The fire was burning in deadfall and downed timber on the Flathead and Kootenai national forests. On Friday, the fire reached Good Creek Road. Shifting winds spread hot embers that set spot fires in areas of blowdown.
The Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team was set to take command of the fire on Sunday morning. About 100 firefighters were on the scene Saturday, aided by one helicopter.
Cooler temperatures were expected on Sunday and Monday across Northwest Montana with highs in the 70s. Overnight low temperatures were expected to drop into the 40s and possibly the 30s for high elevation valleys.