CLARKSTON – Fire crews battled a grass fire near Clarkston on Monday night. The fire claimed several structures, including homes, have reportedly been lost.
Smoke could be seen around the valley after the blaze started east of Clarkston around 4 p.m.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said there are no reports of injuries due to the fire.
The fire was estimated to be about 1,500 acres and most fire departments in the county sent units to help fight the blaze.
The DNRC sent aircraft and smoke jumpers to help as well.
While officials are confirming that buildings, including some homes, were lost to the fast-moving fire, there is no count on the number lost. The Sheriff’s Office says a full assessment of the damage will come later.
Nearly every fire department in Gallatin County, plus DNRC and Forest Service crews responded to the fire call, which first went out about 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Smoke could be seen across the Gallatin Valley in the late afternoon and flames lit the night as deputies raced to warn and evacuate homeowners in the rugged hills north of Three Forks and east of the Missouri River.
The fire is estimated to have burned about 1,500 acres and there’s no word if it is completely out at this time. Aircraft and one crew of smoke jumpers were called to the scene Monday night.
Sheriff’s deputies set up a command center north of Clarkston Monday night and blocked access to the fire scene. That command post remains in place Tuesday.
Deputies say the cause of the fire is under investigation.
