New Wildfire Spotted on Jericho Mountain

Jericho Mountain Fire

A new wildfire start was reported over the weekend. On Sunday, the Jericho Mountain Fire was found to be burning in heavy dead and down fuel about 5 miles to the south of Macdonald Pass, west of Helena. Forest Service, Montana DNRC, Baxendale and Elliston Volunteer Fire Department all assisted with initial response. Aircraft have been on scene, and heavy equipment has been ordered to help deal with the fire, which was 30 acres as of Sunday evening. Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest officials say the fire is located in remote, rugged terrain, where the probability of containing the fire is low. Three helicopters are concentrating water drops on the east flank of the fire, trying to keep it from spreading into a residential area. The cause of the fire is not known, though there have been lightning strikes in the area recently.

Hilger Valley Fire

Smoke with be visible for the coming weeks, as isolated pockets of unconsumed fuel continue to smolder, but as of Saturday (June 14), this fire, 20 miles north of Helena, is fully contained at 295 acres, and is unlikely to spread.