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Significant runs made by the Stewart Fire near Wisdom has prompted officials to develop an evacuation plan for the Steel Creek Subdivision.

The Stewart Fire is located 8 miles southeast of Wisdom on the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest. On Thursday, September 8th, personnel with the Wisdom Ranger District notified the Sheriff's Office in Dillon of a change in the Stewart Fire's activity.

As a result, sheriff's personnel developed an evacuation plan for the Steel Creek Subdivision, in the event the fire spreads north and west from its present location.

Stage One of the plan consists of notification and briefings with persons within the affected areas. This stage was completed by Friday, September 9th.

Stage Two, if implemented, is a warning only, informing the affected residents that there is a good probability of a need to evacuate. The sheriff's office would be recommend that movement of persons requiring needs or care, livestock, and large mobile property be initiated.

Stage Three is a request to evacuate. Residents would be asked to leave the affected area within a specified time period by the Steel Creek Road and report to the evacuation center, located in Wisdom, Montana at the Legion Hall. The Red Cross will be present at the Legion Hall as well.

Stage Four is an ordered evacuation.Disaster and or emergency proclamations would be issued and authority granted for the Incident Commander to order the evacuation. Access to the affected area is prohibited to anyone not authorized by the incident commander. Residents of the affected area would be directed to check-in at Legion Hall as stated in Stage Three.

Stage Five dictates roadblocks be maintained into the affected area with regular patrols performed by the sheriff's office.

Stage Six would allow residents of the affected area to return to their homes and businesses.

For more information on the Stewart Fire, you may contact the incident information desk at 406-689-3915. For information concerning evacuations, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 406-683-3700 or 406-689-3113.