The Stage 2 fire evacuations have been lifted for residents near the Sawtooth Fire in Hamilton.

The following is a release from Sawtooth Fire Commanders:

After carefully reviewing the containment work and contingency fire lines built to limit the growth of the Sawtooth fire toward populated areas the incident commanders working in conjunction with local law enforcement have made the decision to lift the Stage 2 evacuation request/order that went into place September 10th. The Stage 1 Evacuation Alert and Warning will remain in place, including for areas previously designated as Stage 2.

The Stage 2 order will be changed to Stage 1 as of 8 AM Sunday, September 16th.

The temporary Stage 2 evacuation request/order has been amended while still maintaining the original Stage 1 Alert and Warning area originally established to protect public health and safety when the fire was uncontrolled. The new area map is displayed here. The Stage 1 evacuation Alert and Warning will remain in place as long as the fire remains active and there is a risk to the public.

There is still significant risk from this fire. Residents are urged to consider not returning large livestock or large trailers or other vehicles that may make access for firefighting difficult. A Stage 1 Alert/Warning means that there is a probability of the need to evacuate. Residents are responsible to make arrangements to move property and livestock. Residents with special health needs or other concerns, should relocate during this stage of evacuation.

Sheriff’s Deputies will still maintain roadblocks to limit traffic to local residents only on Owings Creek Road and Westside Road, between the junction with Owings Creek Road, and the intersection with Roaring Lion Road.

The weather continues to be cool at night with frost in the area but the days are expected to warm back up to the 80’s by this weekend. Winds are expected to stay light over the fire for the next few days. Humidity’s will be low and there is still active fire on portions of the fire perimeter. The fire is burning in continuous stands of mixed conifer with an understory of subalpine fir.