500 Montana Homes Evacuated Ahead Of Roaring Lion Fire

The Roaring Lion fire south of Hamilton has now burned more than 2,000 acres, according to fire officials. Residents are being evacuated along the west side of Highway 93 between Owings Creek to Hayes Creek and a Stage 2 evacuation notice is in effect. At least 500 homes have been evacuated, according to officials with the Bitterroot National Forest. The speed of the Roaring Lion Fire has people in the Bitterroot in shock. By conservative estimates, the fire was growing at a rate of 200 acres per hour after it started early Sunday afternoon. Driven by gusty downslope winds funneled right down the valley, the fire was racing through the foothills southwest of Hamilton.