The Horse Gulch Fire burning northeast of Helena is sized up at 1,000 acres burned as a Type III incident command team took over management of the fire Thursday morning.
Hot and windy conditions on Wednesday drove the fire into new fuels causing a large plume visible from miles away.
The fire, 5 miles south of York and 2 miles north of Canyon Ferry, prompted the evacuation of homes along Cave Gulch Road. The fire, which started Tuesday afternoon, remains 0% contained, according to mtfireinfo.org.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton on Thursday told members of Hometown Helena, a grassroots group, the blaze was caused by an unattended campfire or fireworks.
Also Wednesday, a single-engine firefighting aircraft with pontoons and scooper capability crashed near Spokane Bay on Hauser Lake while working the fire.
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The 45-year-old female pilot was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Dutton said she was given a procession by first responders when removed from the lake.
He said more firefighters and law enforcement are coming in to help. He said two more large-scooping aircraft are coming to Canyon Ferry.
He urged boaters to give the aircraft their space and keep their distance.
The U.S. Forest Service said the fire was in heavy dead and down/dense timber. Several agencies, including volunteer fire departments, are fighting the blaze. The governor’s office said Wednesday the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has recently deployed resources to help.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
Thom Bridge is a photojournalist with the Independent Record and Montana State News Bureau. He also hosts the Montana Untamed podcast.