So it Begins… Montana’s 1st Wildfire of 2024 Summer Reported South of Philipsburg

Montana's first forest fire of the season has grown to 99 acres. It was first reported Sunday, May 12th.

Firefighters from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Montana DNRC are battling a wildfire in the Elk Creek drainage of the Sapphire Mountains, 20 miles southwest of Philipsburg. Forest officials noted in a Facebook post that the fire is burning mostly on private land with 29 acres burning on land managed by the Forest Service.

Current resources on the fire include one helicopter, three engines, and a 20-person crew. An additional crew has been ordered. Four private structures are potentially threatened.