Single Publication

Start Date & Location: July 9, 2024,    5 miles south of York, MT

Cause: Human, under investigation    Size: 15,167 acres         Containment: 80%

Key message

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest entered Stage 1 Fire Restrictions yesterday due to persistent hot and dry conditions increasing the threat of wildfire danger. Currently, private, State, and Bureau of Land Management lands in Lewis and Clark and Broadwater counties are not in Stage 1 restrictions. For more information visit MTFIREINFO.org. Drivers are urged to slow down around the fire area to avoid conflicts with emergency traffic.

Current Status

Yesterday, containment significantly increased as crews focused on mop-up operations to extinguish any leftover heat along the eastern flank of the fire that could impact containment lines in the event of adverse weather. Crews continued with suppression repair along the southern edge of the fire by redistributing debris berms created by fire line construction. The increase in acreage is a result of the tactical firing operations over the past couple of days that successfully consumed the remaining islands of unburned fuel within the perimeter.

Today, mop-up will be concentrated along the northeast edge of the fireline, where firefighters are seeing the most amount of residual heat. Suppression repair will continue on the south, west, and east flanks of the fire. Tonight, there will no longer be firefighters assigned to the night shift but will be available if fire activity warrants. Firefighters are available to respond to any new fire starts in the area.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Today, the hot and dry pattern will continue with temperatures ranging from the 80s to the upper 90s with relative humidities dropping down to the mid teens. Winds will be light and variable throughout the day. 

Evacuations and Closures

Evacuations: Effective 7/19/24, all evacuation warnings have been lifted.

Road Closure: Residents only access on Jimtown Road from Riverside Road to Trout Creek Road and on Black Bear Road. All other roads including Canyon Ferry Road are open, except roads within the fire perimeter.

Forest Closure: The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest closures remain in place around the fire area. Details can be found at Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Home (usda.gov)

Campground Closure: The Vigilante Campground, within the forest closure area, remains closed. As of 7/19/2024, all other campgrounds are now reopened. 

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 

FIRE RESTRICTIONS 

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restriction Information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/hlcnf/alerts-notices/?aid=89019