Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

UPDATE: "Officials in Stillwater County have ordered evacuations for residents in the East Shane Creek and Shane Creek areas south of the Skibstead Fire," said Paula Short of the Montana DNRC as of 10:06 pm.

As of 8:45 Wednesday evening, fire managers estimate the Skibstead Fire is 600-800 acres.

It has burned across the county line into Carbon County. The fire is burning most actively to the south in grass, sage and (predominately) timber. Officials are now saying the cause of the is undetermined - even though earlier reports cited a house explosion as the fire's cause.COLUMBUS - No evacuations have been ordered so far in the Skibstead Fire burning southeast of Columbus, but 15 to 20 structures are threatened by the blaze.

The Montana DNRC, along with firefighters from Yellowstone, Carbon, Sweet Grass and Stillwater Counties are responding to a wildfire along Shane Ridge Road, southeast of Columbus.

The Skibstead Fire is estimated at 100 acres and is burning actively on all sides. 15-20 structures are threatened by the blaze. The Montana DNRC reports there are no structure losses confirmed at this time.

2 Helicopters are on scene, and airtankers have dropped retardant on the fire. The cause of the Skipstead fire is unknown. This is an emerging incident. More information will be released as it becomes available.

COLUMBUS - A house explosion southeast of Columbus has turned into a wildfire Wednesday night.

The Stillwater County Sheriff's office says the explosion happened just before 6 o'clock, and the fire spread so quickly officials were not able to call for evacuations.

Dispatchers say they have received reports that four structures have been destroyed, but that is not confirmed.

The fire started on Skibstead Road and is now heading for Shane Ridge. Officials do not know how many homes are now in the fire's path. At last report 100 acres have burned so far.

Columbus, Laurel and Carbon County Fire Departments are all fighting the blaze.