Wildfire in Paradise Valley, Montana

The Pine Creek Wildfire originated 9 miles south of Livingston, Montana on August 29th at approximately 3 pm. The fire started near the Yellowstone River and quickly burned through the town of Pine Creek. After which, it moved into the steep, inaccessible terrain of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Gallatin National Forecast. Local firefighters, helicopters, and retardant airtankers were able to save many homes, the Pine Creek Church, and the Pine Creek Cafe. However, five homes and several outbuildings were lost during the first day of the fire. On the second day of the fire, the fire threatened more homes as it moved south onto private land.

The fuels burned were Timber (liter and understory), heavy, dead standing and down, as well as gray-stage beetle kill trees. The size of the fire was 8,572 acres and will more than likely be revised. The wildfire was contained on October 18th. The cause of the fire is human and remains under investigation. More detailed information can be found at www.inciweb.org.