Evacuation order remains in effect near Olney as Montana faces critical fire weather

Flathead County issued an evacuation order at 3 p.m. MDT Saturday, August 1, 2026, for specified homes near Olney as the Skillet Fire burned nearby. The order remained in effect in a Montana Public Radio update published Sunday, August 2. Residents inside the affected area are instructed to leave immediately because of an imminent threat to life and safety.

The order applies to 2500–5100 Good Creek Road and all addresses on Old Good Creek Road, Gregg Creek Road and Alder Creek Road. It is not a statewide evacuation order. Montana was under a statewide Red Flag Warning on August 1, meaning strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures could contribute to extreme fire behavior.

What the Olney evacuation order covers

The order covers the Good Creek and Alder Creek area near Olney. The listed locations are:

• 2500–5100 Good Creek Road
• All addresses on Old Good Creek Road
• All addresses on Gregg Creek Road
• All addresses on Alder Creek Road

Residents at those addresses should leave immediately and follow current instructions from local emergency officials. Flathead County’s Office of Emergency Services lists a public information line at 406-758-2111.

Warning versus evacuation order

The order followed an evacuation warning issued Friday for the same general area. An evacuation warning means residents should prepare to leave if conditions worsen or officials issue an order.

An evacuation order is more urgent: It means people should leave immediately because of an imminent threat to life and safety. Residents near, but outside, the listed order area should monitor official alerts and be prepared for evacuation status to change.

Why conditions are dangerous

Montana Public Radio reported July 31 that the Skillet Fire was burning about 15 miles west of Olney and was approximately 1,000 acres at that time. That figure is an earlier reported estimate, not necessarily the fire’s current size.

The entire state was under a Red Flag Warning Saturday, August 1. A combination of strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures can produce extreme fire behavior, allowing fires to spread quickly and making conditions more difficult to predict.

What residents should do next

People inside the evacuation order area should depart immediately. Residents elsewhere should maintain an evacuation plan, keep an emergency go kit ready and make sure they can receive reliable official alerts. A go kit can include medications, identification, important documents, food, water, chargers, pet supplies and other essentials needed to leave quickly.

Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation provides current wildfire information and preparedness guidance. Residents should rely on current official alerts rather than an earlier warning or order alone because evacuation conditions can change.

During Red Flag conditions, people recreating outdoors should fully drown campfires and make sure they are cold to the touch before leaving. Drivers towing trailers should secure trailer chains so they do not drag on pavement and throw sparks that could ignite roadside vegetation.

The Olney-area order applies only to the roads and addresses identified by Flathead County. Residents should continue checking current county and state wildfire information for any expansion, cancellation or other change.

Sources

• Montana Public Radio: Evacuation orders remain in effect near Olney due to Skillet Fire
• Montana DNRC: Current Fire Information