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Highway 12 re-opened after fire burns hundreds of acres

Posted at 12:36 PM, Sep 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-11 14:36:55-04

UPDATE

TOWNSEND – A fire that shut down a portion of US Highway 12 on Monday burned between 250 to 450 acres outside of the controlled burn area.

Emergency crews shut down Highway 12 east of Townsend between mile markers seven and nine at around 9:30 p.m.

The roadway was reopened at around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Officials say no structures burned and no one was injured.

Fire crews from Townsend, Duck Creek, Winston, Radersberg, Toston, the DNRC, and the Forest Service assisted with the fire.

(first report)

TOWNSEND – A private burn operation has grown out of control along Highway 12 near mile marker seven between Townsend and White Sulphur Springs.

Broadwater County Sheriff Wynn Meehan said a farmer was conducting a prescribed burn when winds picked up and carried the flames outside of the fire line. Sheriff Meehan was estimating the fire to be hundreds, if not 1,000, acres in size as of Monday night.

Houses are in both directions of the fire and residents have been notified that they may have to leave and everyone is advised to avoid the area at this time. US Highway 12 is shut down in the area and is only allowing limited traffic.

Townsend, Broadwater, Toston, Radersburg, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service, and other agencies are on the scene.

We will update you when we get more information.