Gov. Gianforte: Montana National Guard is Ready to Fight Fires If Needed

The 2024 wildfire season is well underway on Montana, and there have already been76 fires reported, according to Gov. Greg Gianforte, who spoke on our Missoula sister station KGVO recently. He told listeners that the state was prepared for this fire season. In addition to money set aside by the state legislature for firefighting costs, and firefighters have been doing a great job attacking and containing more than six dozen wild fires so far.

While lightning is blamed for many of the fires, the majority, including the Horse Gulch Fire near Canyon Ferry Reservoir, are human-caused, and Gianforte reminded listeners that conditions are extremely dry and everyone needs to be cautious when participating in activities that could ignite a fire. “We all have a responsibility when we're out in the woods. Don't be dragging chains [behind a truck]. We’ve got to make sure that if you know you're going to have a fire - and it's a question whether you should when it's this dry if you should have one at all -but it's got to be fully and completely out. Even discharging firearms can ignite a fire, so when it's this dry, just be careful when you're out in the woods.”

The Governor praised the efforts of firefighting personnel from the US Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, and local volunteers, and said other resources are available if the are needed, including members of the Montana National Guard. We've trained hundreds of people in the Montana National Guard to help fight fires in case we have to call them up," Gianforte said, "and then we have mutual aid agreements with neighboring states.”

BEACON HILL FIRE (Lolo National Forest)

Lolo National Forest firefighters are responding to a new fire start west of St. Regis, MT. Smoke is visible north of Interstate 90 at mile marker 36. The Beacon Hill fire is estimated at an acre. It is burning on a south aspect slope, in timber with grassy understory. Helicopters and other resources have been ordered for this fire.

MILLER PEAK FIRE (Lolo National Forest)

The Miller Peak Fire, 7 miles southeast of Missoula of the Plant Creek drainage on the Lolo National Forest, has grown to 2,035 acres, adding less than 100 acres over the past 24 hours. The number of firefighters on scene has doubled to 352.

Tuesday night crews conducted a small burnout operation to hold a ridge in the vicinity of the Plant Creek drainage. Aviation resources supported that effort yesterday through bucket work. Hand crews also worked to address spot fires adjacent to the fire’s edge in Greenough Creek. Crews worked to scout access for heavy equipment in the Moccasin Ridge area.

DEADMAN, McGHEE, PRAIRIE & 4-MILE FIRES (Bighorn & Rosebud Counties)

Numerous fires were ignited in southeast Montana by dry lightning on July 12 and 13. The Deadman Fire and the Anderson Fire burned together on Sunday, now referred to as Deadman Fire. The Prairie and Hackley grew together on Monday, now referred to as the Prairie Fire.

Burnout operations yesterday on the southwest edge of the McGhee Fire were very successful, and firefighters working cooperatively with local ranchers held the line along the Wall Creek Road. Aviation assets assisted firefighters with an area of fire that pushed over the line above the Lacey Gulch Road on Wednesday evening. A Hotshot crew carried on with burnout operations west along Wall Creek Road toward the Tongue River Road. The McGhee Fire has now burned 11,409 acres, and is 9% contained.

On the southern part of the west side of the 19,130-acre Deadman Fire, smokejumpers tended the areas where the fire is backing down to the Tongue River, taking advantage of the river as a natural barrier to fire spread. The north, east and southern perimeters of the Deadman are not exhibiting active fire behavior. An Unmanned Aerial System (drone) was used overnight to assist firefighters with small burnout operations on the east side of the McGhee Fire. The Deadman Fire is now 20% contained.

Crews are patrolling and monitoring the Prairie Fire, which is 50% contained at 6,540-acres, and the 4-Mile Fire, which is 34% contained at 2,082 acres.

Temperatures will approach 100 degrees F today in eastern Montana, with relative humidity in the teens and a chance of thunderstorms tonight. Winds will generally be light and easterly, with gusts to 15 mph. Active fire behavior with increases in flame length, rates of spread, and spotting distances are expected. Near critical fire conditions exist across the area.

In Big Horn County, an evacuation warning is in place for residents from the intersection of Dale Creek Road and East Fork Canyon Road, east to the county line; from the intersection of Dale Creek Road and East Fork Canyon Road south to the intersection of Birney Road and Highway 314; from the intersection of Highway 314 and Birney Road east to the county line. In Rosebud County, an evacuation warning is in place for residents along the Tongue River Road from the Tongue River Bridge at Wall Creek to the southern Rosebud County line. Look for specific closure information and maps on the Rosebud and Big Horn County Sheriff Facebook pages. An evacuation warning means people should be aware of and monitor the situation closely, being prepared to evacuate if needed as the status could change quickly.

HORSE GULCH FIRE (Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest)

As of this morning (July 18) the fire is listed at 14,250 acres and is 32% contained. Yesterday, fire growth was minimal as crews successfully maintained control and containment lines along the fire’s edge. Incident commanders say their primary concern continues to be islands of unburned fuel within the fire's perimeter, which could produce embers capable of sparking spot fires outside established containment lines. The southwest portion of the fire saw an increase in fire activity with a flare-up occurring overnight.

Crews are patrolling and securing lines, with the focus on mopping up residual heat to hold the fire within the perimeter. Today, burning interior fuel pockets remain a significant concern due to the potential for embers to ignite spot fires outside established containment lines. Crews will patrol and secure line along Jimtown Road on the west portion of the fire. To the north, firefighters will continue with tactical firing operations in the Bar Gulch area. Crews will construct and improve hand line along the fire’s edge in the Hellgate Gulch area on the east flank of the fire. To the south, crews will continue to patrol and conduct mop-up operations within the fire perimeter, and identify areas needing suppression repair.

Winds are expected to shift from the west-northwest to the northeast over the coming days, providing crews with favorable conditions to reinforce and secure control lines.

The structure protection group will continue to work in Magpie gulch, assessing homes for defensible space and improving control lines making it harder for fire to reach structures. So far, there have been no reports of homes or other structures being lost to the fire.

Categories: North Central Montana News