One Family In Path Of The Lolo Peak Fire Prepares To Evacuate

Two of our family friends own a home just off Highway 12 near Lolo, just one of 140 more homes that have been put on evacuation notice due to the advance of the Lolo Peak Fire. 

The homeowner (whose name has been omitted for reasons of privacy) told KGVO News that his first concern, of course, is for his wife and his visiting grandchildren, who are understandably anxious over have a sheriff's deputy knock on the door asking them to be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.

"It's an anxious moment, especially when you have a wife and grand-kids who happen to be visiting who have a lot of concern over the possible evacuation," he said. "We're in the process of packing up quite a few valuables, and getting my thoughts in mind on what to do if they evacuate me, such as how much time I'll have and what I need to throw in the pickup."

My friend said he has already put a list of possessions together in case of evacuation.

"Of course, you're going to take your family photo albums, that's one of the first items," he said. "In my line of work, I'll be loading up a lot of valuable tools, such as air guns and compressors. We have some jewelry, and because we've traveled quite a bit, we have lots of mementos that we'll be taking with us, as well. Of course, any firearms we've got, we'll take those, too. I don't trust them in a gun safe, I'd rather take them with us. We'll also be taking whatever clothes and personal items we'll need."

He said this is not his first experience being evacuated due to a wildfire.

"We were evacuated previously, just a couple of years ago," (during the Lolo Creek Fire), he said. "We were also evacuated quite a few years ago before that."

He said he and his family have already made arrangements as to where to relocate if they hear that knock on the door telling them it's time to go.

Here is a link to the Missoula County website with information for those who face evacuations.