U.S. Highway 12 has been closed to through traffic starting at mile marker 16, however, there are detours available to all but commercial trucks and RV's.

RSVP volunteer Lee Silliman, answering the county's evacuation hotline, said on Monday, that the detour will take drivers from U.S. Highway 12 to Interstate 90.

"There's a road closure at mile marker 16," Silliman said. "Keep in mind that trhe mile markers start at the top of Lolo Pass and they get bigger as you go downhill towards Lolo. There's a roadblock and closure at mile marker 16 to keep people from going into the evacuation area. However, mile marker 16 is at Graves Creek Road, so if people are coming from Idaho or from homes above the roadblock, they can exit to Missoula on Graves Creek Road only for cars and pickup trucks, not for commercial big rigs,RV's, or trucks hauling trailers. Travel north until you merge with Petty Creek Road which continues north and intersects with Interstate 90."

There is an information trailer set up by the Forest Service at the intersection of U.S. 93 and U.S. 12 in Lolo.

Fire Information Officer Sig Palm said the evacuation has been proceeding flawlessly so far, with all contact to his hotline being calm and courteous. He said the evacuated residents could be out of their homes for several days, or even weeks depending on the progress made fighting the fire.

 

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