Wildfire near Paradise expands to 13,414 acres

Paradise, Montana – East River Road Road As of Sunday, August 20, 2023, the fire near Paradise has expanded from 11,951 acres to 13,414 acres and is 0% contained.

The fire was said to have been quiet in the morning but to have been aggressive in the afternoon as the wind picked up.

The Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1 has taken control of the fire, and more firefighters and equipment are coming in to battle it.

The Plains High School Gym will host a community meeting at 3 p.m. on Sunday where officials will give updates and answer queries concerning the incident.

Building control lines close to structures and the active fire perimeter in Paradise has advanced thanks to the efforts of the fire department there.

In addition to protecting structures when it is safe to do so, firefighters continue to prioritize public safety.

To safeguard structures, workers are strengthening control lines in the Paradise and McLaughlin Creek areas.

In the Paradise region, evacuation and pre-evacuation notices are still in effect. At the Church on the Move, located at 300 Clayton Street in Plains, the Montana Red Cross has opened an evacuation shelter.

The River Road East Fire, which started on Friday, August 18, is staffed by 282 individuals. The cause is still being looked into.