Horse Gulch Fire Now Nearly 13,000 Acres. New Fire Start Near Missoula

MILLER PEAK FIRE (Lolo National Forest)

A new wildfire was reported Sunday Afternoon (7-14) in the Plant Creek drainage of Lolo National Forest. The Miller Peak Fire is approximately 8 miles southeast of Missoula, and as of this morning was 400 acres. The Missoula County Sheriff has issued evacuation orders for homes along Upper Miller Creek Road in the vicinity of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is the second fire in the Plant Creek drainage in the past week. Last Wednesday, firefighters declared the Plant Fire contained at 5 acres.

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

HELENA - The Horse Gulch Fire continued to spread over the weekend, and is now listed at 12,797 acres. Yesterday (Sun. 7-14), high cloud cover shaded the fire and moderated fire activity, according to officials, despite temperatures in the 90s and very low relative humidity.. Today, temps are expected to trend a few degrees cooler while humidity continues to decrease. Winds are expected to be lighter than they have been with afternoon gusts around 15mph.

Yesterday, crews and aircraft were successful in containing two large spot fires that took root outside the fire area on Saturday afternoon. Hand line was started in the steep terrain between the 693B1 Road and 425 Road, to tie in with a dozer line that is nearly complete in Neversweat Gulch. Along the fire’s southern edge, crews continued to strengthen the existing line. Progress was made to build and reinforce fire line from Jimtown Road to York and that has been holding well. The Structure Group worked on assessing and protecting homes and other structures threatened by potential fire activity. The night crews worked to strengthen lines and patrolled the perimeter, watching for spot fires.

Today, crews and equipment will be bridging the gaps between existing fire line and reinforcing the lines by cooling the edge and “cold trailing”- a process where firefighters line up in a grid and physically touch the ground, inspecting for any hidden areas of heat. When they find heat, they will dig it out, mix it with cool soil and add water when it is available, so no trace of heat remains. This process is necessary before any portion of the fire edge can be declared “contained”. Unmanned aircraft systems (drones), may be used to apply fire to back burn when appropriate and carry using infrared cameras to identify areas of heat near the perimeter that need attention.

The cause of the Horse Gulch Fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to be human-caused.

BOAT MT, Boat MT 2 & BEAVER CREEK FIRES (Custer-Gallatin National Forest)

Over the weekend, firefighters contained three small lightning-caused fires in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest. The Boat Mountain, Boat Mountain 2 and Beaver Creek Fires were were reported on Friday, July 12, in the Beaver and Cabin Creek areas off of Highway 287, north of West Yellowstone, MT

The Boat Mountain Fire burned 1 acre, and is 75% contained as of this morning. The Boat Mountain 2 Fire, and Beaver Creek Fire were both fully contained at just 1/10 acre each.

CONANT FIRE (Custer-Gallatin National Forest)

Crews are beginning mop-up operations on the lightning-caused Conant Fire, which is burning in the Cherry Creek drainage, about 10 miles south of Big Timber, MT off the Main Boulder Highway. As of this morning, the fire is 80% contained, at 15 Acres.

The fire is burning within the 2006 Derby Fire scar in grass, dead and down logs, juniper and sage. It is located on national forest in an area adjacent to private property and infrastructure. Crews will be on-scene tonight continuing to put out hot spots and securing the fire line.

FRIDAY FIRE & LICK LAKE FIRE (Kootenai National Forest)

Firefighters made quick work of two lightning strikes last week on the Kootenai National Forest. The Friday fire, burned just over a half-acre near Keystone Mountain. The fire is approximately 0.53 acres. Helicopters were able to make multiple bucket drops on that fire.

The Lick Lake fire on the Rexford/Fortine Ranger District only managed to claim a quarter acre before it was contained.

DEADMAN FIRE & ANDERSON FIRE (Big Horn County)

MILES CITY – Two Wildfires burning near Tongue River Reservoir State Park prompted a voluntary evacuation of visitors to the park Saturday evening. Several wildfires are burning in southeastern Montana, including the 3,000-acre, lightning-caused Deadman Fire and the 3,300-acre Anderson Fire, both burning about 30 miles southeast of Ashland and near the park.

Big Horn County officials recommended evacuation of the park Saturday evening, and the majority of campers and visitors left. Visitation is not advised at this time, as conditions could possibly deteriorate.

Categories: North Central Montana News