Recently, the warm and dry weather has caused multiple fires to start in the area. These fires have produced significant amounts of smoke, resulting in air quality problems. Crews are working diligently to contain these fires. The following information contains the most recent updates as of July 22nd found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov.
The Horse Gulch Fire was first reported on the afternoon of July 9th. It grew rapidly on both July 10th and 11th. The fire is located approximately 5 miles south of York and 2 miles north of Canyon Ferry. The fire behavior has been very active in dense timber with heavy dead and downed fuels. Northern Rockies Team 2 is currently in command of the fire. The Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest has issued a Closure Order for National Forest System lands around the fire area.
This fire is under investigation cause being human in nature. The size of this fire is 15,167 acres and is 92% contained.
The decreased air quality around the Horse Gulch Fire and the Helena area is largely due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. Please take precautions to minimize smoke exposure when air quality is poor. Stay updated on current air quality at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Drivers should reduce speed near the fire to avoid getting in the way of emergency traffic.
As of July 21st, crews completed repair work on private and BLM land. Crews patrolled the Jimtown Road area to find and eliminate any remaining hot spots that could cause new flare-ups. Firefighters also located and put out remaining hot areas in Hellgate Gulch to reduce the risk of flare-ups. Additionally, crews continued repair work along the Canyon Ferry Corridor and Hellgate Gulch, examining fire lines for erosion and taking action to prevent it.
Today, crews will bring in road graders to improve roads in the fire area. Firefighters will focus on finding and putting out remaining hot spots along the north and west parts of the fire and continue to mop up in these areas. Suppression repair work will also continue along Magpie Gulch Road.
As of July 19th, all evacuation warnings have been lifted. Jimtown Road from Riverside Road to Trout Creek Road and Black Bear Road are open only to residents. Other roads, except those within the fire perimeter, are open. Forest, campground, and BLM closures remain in place around the fire area. The Vigilante Campground is still closed within the forest closure area, while all other campgrounds have reopened as of July 19th. Furthermore, the Butte Field Office has closed BLM lands near the fire area.
The Miller Peak Fire was first reported on the afternoon of July 14th. The fire’s growth is being driven by wind and topography. It is located approximately 8 miles southeast of Missoula in the Plant Creek drainage of Miller Creek. The fire behavior has been very active and it is burning in dense mixed conifer. Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 5 took command at 6 am on July 16th. Presently, the available resources and current efforts are focused on protecting homes and structures in the Miller Creek drainage, the I-90 corridor, critical energy infrastructure/powerlines, and the communications towers on Miller Peak.
The cause of this fire is currently unknown, it has affected an area of 2,481 acres and is 10% contained. There are 674 personnel, 19 engines, 3 helicopters, 17 hand crews, 11 water tenders, and 21 heavy equipment units involved in managing this situation.
Stage II fire restrictions are in effect for the Lolo National Forest and its surrounding areas. This includes area and road closures to ensure the safety of the public and firefighters. Please adhere to these closures and restrictions, which also prohibit drone flying in the temporary flight restriction area over the fire.
Strong easterly winds intensified the fire activity yesterday. However, personnel were able to keep the fire within its existing boundaries. Most of the activity occurred in the southeastern edge of the fire. Active spots were observed in the Park Creek area but were contained using aerial resources (retardant and water drops) and ground crews. Today, crews on the southeastern side of the fire will focus on securing and maintaining the line along the Moccasin Ridge Road and constructing direct handline in the head of the Moccasin Creek drainage using heavy equipment. In the Greenough Creek drainage, crews will continue to construct direct handlines, and in the northeastern section, crews will use aerial resources and heavy equipment to secure and maintain the line.
A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Area and road closures are also in effect due to hazardous conditions resulting from the fire activity. Stage II fire restrictions are in effect in the area.
Last night at 1:30 AM, the Missoula Rural Fire Department was first on the scene at the Butler Creek Fire, followed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Together, they initiated unified command and called for mutual aid. The fire is burning west of Butler Creek Rd in grass and heavy timber. Additional resources have been ordered, and a local Type 3 team assumed command at 8:00 am. Firefighters are working to clear vegetation to create fuel breaks and reduce fire spread. A dozer line is also being created. Three helicopters are dropping water buckets on the fire to cool the fire’s edge and reduce spread. This fire is currently 220 acres with a 0% containment.
The Missoula County Sheriff’s Department has issued an evacuation order for residents on Lavelle Creek Road and on the west side of Butler Creek Road from Lavelle Creek Road to Timberline Ridge. Residents north of Timberline Ridge and on the east side of Butler Creek Road are under an evacuation warning.
The evacuation order issued for residents in the Indreland and Buffalo Speedway area has been downgraded to an evacuation warning. This includes all of Buffalo Speedway and Indreland Lane east of Buffalo Speedway, and streets accessed off Buffalo Speedway such as Kit Lane, Karamu Lane, Patinella Court, and Brow Tine Drive.
The American Red Cross of Montana has opened an evacuation shelter at the Christ the King Catholic Church, 1400 Gerald Ave, Missoula. Red Cross services are free and available to all impacted. If you need Red Cross assistance, call 800-RED-CROSS. Residents in the surrounding area who have not evacuated should remain vigilant.
Please continue to check the Great Falls Gazette for updates as we strive to provide you with information throughout the fire season.
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
