HELENA — Firefighters on the Horse Gulch Fire northeast of Helena are anticipating challenging fire weather on Saturday afternoon and evening.
According to the fire information site Inciweb, the fire has grown to just over 11,600 acres and was 0% contained as of Saturday morning.
During a public meeting held on Friday night, current fire managers announced that the Type 3 team currently in charge will be handing over responsibilities to the larger Northern Rockies Team 2, a complex incident management team (CIMT).
Firefighters are concentrating their efforts on keeping the fire east of Jimtown Rd and north of Canyon Ferry.
Evacuations and closures are still in effect for the following areas:
- York Rd. up to Vigilante Campground
- Cave Gulch to Magpie Gulch on both sides of Canyon Ferry Rd
- Riverside Campground
- Hellgate Campground
- Canyon Ferry Rd between Canyon Ferry Village and Hellgate Gulch
Authorities provide updates on Horse Gulch Fire and plane crash
Individuals needing to access their property for essential items must be escorted.
Escorts will be granted on a first come, first serve basis Saturday morning and will be limited to 15 minutes, ending at 10:00 a.m.
Officials emphasized at the Friday night meeting that no structures have been lost so far.
The Horse Gulch fire started on the afternoon of July 9 on U.S. Forest Service land. Forest Service law enforcement investigators are seeking information, including photos, of vehicles in the area on that day or of the fire’s early stages.
Send tips to: SM.FS.HLC_Tip_Line@usda.gov.
One firefighter tragically lost their life while battling the fire. Juliana Turchetti, 45, perished when her air tanker crashed into Hauser Lake.
The NTSB is leading the investigation, with an initial report anticipated within the next two weeks and a final report expected in approximately 18 months.
Sheriff Leo Dutton urged boaters on the lakes to be alert to firefighting aircraft and helicopters and to stay out of their way during Friday’s meeting.
How you can help: The Horse Gulch Fire
The Helena Area Community Foundation and the TriCounty COAD have established a relief fund to aid those affected by the Horse Gulch Fire.
At this time, the organizations are specifically requesting monetary donations. According to fund organizers, money enables support groups to purchase exactly what is needed and avoids accumulating unusable or outdated items.
Donations will be used for:
- Emergency shelter and food for displaced families
- Medical supplies
- Equipment and supplies for firefighters
- Restoration and rebuilding efforts (if necessary)
Donations can be made online at HelenaAreaCommunityFoundation.org or dropped off at 901 N. Benton in Helena.
For those donating by check, please indicate “fire” in the memo line.
Evacuated individuals in need of assistance can reach out to the Red Cross, which has set up a shelter at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 3580 N. Benton St. in Helena.
Inciweb
