Wildfire in Eastern Carbon, Montana

The Skibstad Wildfire started on the evening of July 25th and originated 8 miles southeast of Columbus near Highway 421 and grew to 3000 acres during the overnight hours. Officials believed the fire started when a fire in a building spread to the surrounding area. Stillwater County officials ordered evacuations for homes in the Shane Creek area south of the fire. However, no homes or buildings were destroyed as a result of the fire. Fire crews and 45 engines from Sweet Grass, Yellowstone, Stillwater and Carbon Counties along with state DNRC firefighters fought the blaze. Two helicopters and two air tankers were used in fighting the fire. The fuels for the fire were timber, grass and sage. Total personnel used to fight the fire was 234 and the total area burned was 3,354 acres. The fire was contained on July 29th around 8 PM.