Posted on 12/03/2021 5:42:06 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
High winds pushed a wildfire into Denton, Montana Wednesday (December 1, 2021), destroying 25 structures and prompting an evacuation of the small Fergus County town.
Structures lost included grain elevators and bridges. However, there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries, according to a release from the Fergus County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire was first reported Tuesday in neighboring Judith Basin County and spread into Fergus County due to the high-wind event in northcentral Montana over the last several days. The Denton area saw peak wind gusts of up to 66 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service in Great Falls.
Residents of Denton were evacuated around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday as the fire continued to encroach the town, and an emergency shelter was set up in Lewistown at the Civic Center.
The Montana Radio Company has set up a portal for those who want to donate those in Denton who were affected by the fire. Donations can be made via PayPal at montanaradio.com/406-gives. Those who want to donate by cash or check can leave donations at Stockman Bank or mail a check to Montana Winter Fair, PO Box 931, Lewistown, MT 59457. The checks should be made out to Montana Winter Fair with "West Wind Fire" in the memo line.
Fire crews continued to fight the fire Thursday and the evacuation order was expected to be rescinded by noon. However, FCSO encouraged residents to continue to be on guard and allow fire crews to continue to work, and only essential traffic would be allowed in the area.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
There aren't many historic wooden grain elevators left in the country. What a shame to lose four of them to this one December wildfire. The loss of these elevators will hit the Denton economy hard, I'm sure.
We are 320 miles west of Denton in North Idaho. We've been in the high 50s the past few days which is 20 degrees above normal, but it's dropping 20 degrees in the next couple days. Thank Goodness no wildfires here.
“...We are 320 miles west of Denton in North Idaho...”
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Your ‘about’ page says you are in California...
We split time in both places, but more time in 2021 in Idaho than in California. Fortunately, we bought a vacation home in Idaho after the 2008-2010 crash and before the current insane run-up in prices.
Let’s talk about what measures could have been taken to prevent this or would have been taken had somebody cared to use some initiative. These Towns have to look into these matters. They’re local matters first.
I've always wondered about relocating to Montana. Anyone tell me what it's like there?
Not much could have prevented this (minus huge deaths of blacktop or gravel), when the wind is blowing like it was and the dried vegetation is burning, it moves FAST! This is not a forested area, it’s stubble at this time of year.
Huge swaths of blacktop*
Dang autocorrect
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