More than 60 homes threatened as evacuation orders go into effect

Over 60 homes have been threatened by the Sunrise Fire burning east of Superior. Last week several areas including Sunrise Creek, Quartz Flats and Quartz Creek were given Stage 3 evacuation orders. Other areas, including Verde Creek, remained on Stage 2 evacuation warning. While the Rivulet area located northeast of the fire is on Stage 1 Evacuation Alert.

A structural group with the incident management team commanded by Shawn Pearson, went into the area early last week to prepare for structural protection of homes. As part of that protection, home driveways were posted with large, white cardboard numbers ranging from one on up. These numbers are tied into a database which allows emergency personnel to identify where homes are located and how many people live there. The team utilized information made available through an extensive identification database created by Mineral County Planner, Tim Read. It’s a system he had started in 2005 for emergency responders including the sheriff’s department, ambulance and local fire departments.

When evacuation orders were called the signs were then tagged with red and green ribbons indicating whether the homeowners had chosen to stay or leave. Again, allowing emergency response team to more easily identify homes where residents remained.

The structural group also put sprinklers and several large orange pools called porta-tanks or “pumpkins” in the area. These “pumpkins” look like above ground pools and hold anywhere from 500 to 6,000 gallons of water. The pools in the Quartz Loop area held 3,000 to 6,000 gallons and fire crews can fill their water tanks or pump directly from the pools. The incident teams do estimates of how much water will be needed in any given area based on the number of homes and other factors. Hot-shot crews were also in the Quartz Flats area removing debris and cutting branches along the road.

When evacuation orders were given Wednesday afternoon for Sunrise Creek and Quartz Flats areas, as well as the Quartz Creek Campground, the fire wasn’t a “rolling fire”, said Jim Ward with the forest service. Rather officials were concerned about the fire spotting. Which meant embers from the blaze were being carried up a mile away and could start additional fires.

Residents who are in a Stage 1 Alert, need to start preparations in case the fire gets closer to their homes. With a Stage 2 “ready” warning, they need to prepare for evacuation. This includes creating a livestock evacuation plan and a plan for feeding and caring for the animals once moved. Livestock should also be registered and branded according to the Montana “Ready, Set, Go!” brochure.

During this stage people need to know their evacuation routes and have personal belonging packed and ready to go. They should also prepare their property by creating firebreaks, reducing vegetation and combustible material around buildings, fuel tanks and other combustible equipment. Families should remain on high alert and monitor fire updates.

Stage 3 “go” evacuations mean residents have to leave the area immediately. They should load up their livestock or open gates so they can escape and close barn doors and so animals don’t go into them. Gas supply and propane tanks should be turned off. Residents should dress appropriately and have emergency kits on-hand. If they chose to remain in the area, they need to notify local authorities.

But, Mineral County Sheriff Tom Bauer warns resients who chose to stay, “you must understand that emergency responders may not be able to assist you and no other persons will be allowed into the area.”