Single Publication

Start Date & Location: July 9, 2024,    5 miles south of York, MT
Cause: Human, under investigation           Size: 14,250 acres                         Containment: 23%

CURRENT STATUS AND PLANNED ACTIONS
Yesterday on the north flank of the fire, crews conducted tactical firing operations in the afternoon from the established control line to the fire's edge, which widened fire lines and generated an expected smoke plume. Crews also successfully established dozer lines around a spot fire situated outside of the northern perimeter of the fire. Concerns remain on the east flank, just south of the Cave Gulch Fire burn in 2000, where the fuel loads are more susceptible to rapid fire spread. To address this, aerial resources dropped retardant along the fire perimeter to prevent fire spread. Crews also responded to and extinguished a new ¼ acre spot fire near Hellgate Gulch Road. To the west, crews held and improved fire line along Jimtown Road northwards to the 4136 Road.
Overnight, crews on the northern flank continued tactical firing operations from established dozer lines to the fire’s edge, reducing combustible materials to strengthen fire lines. 
Today, the primary mission is to hold control lines where the firing operations occurred yesterday and last night. On the south flank of the fire, crews will continue improving, mopping up, and cold trailing control lines to extinguish residual heat sources. With active fire behavior, Magpie Gulch remains a primary area of focus, with suppression efforts aimed at reinforcing control lines to halt fire spread.
The Structure Protection Group will continue to patrol and monitor structures throughout the fire area and assess the need for fuel mitigation around structures.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
A chance of thunderstorms are forecast, with the possibility of gusty winds, lightning, and light rain, but without beneficial impact to the fire. Temperatures will be in the low 90's with humidity in the teens. SE winds with gusts up to 20mph may cause spotting where slope and fuels align.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
Evacuations (UPDATED): Effective 7/15/24, all evacuation orders transitioned to evacuation warnings, 
allowing residents of homes and RVs back into their properties. Under evacuation warning, residents should be prepared to leave if conditions change. Sheriff - Lewis & Clark County (lccountymt.gov)
Road Closure: Canyon Ferry Road remains closed to non-residents from Canyon Ferry Village to the Broadwa-ter County line. 
Campground Closure: Campground closures include Hellgate, Court Sheriff, Chinamen’s Gulch, and Riverside.
Forest Closure: The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest updated their forest closure. It can be found at Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Home (usda.gov) 
BLM Closure: The Butte Field Office has issued a closure on BLM lands near the fire area. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/mthlf-horse-gulch-fire/signed-blm-area-closure-07-14-2024