The Horse Gulch fire has spread to 11,607 acres as of Saturday morning, and officials are expecting challenging weather conditions that will complicate firefighting efforts over the weekend.
The fire, located in Lewis and Clark and Broadwater counties, started on Tuesday from fireworks or an unattended campfire and is currently listed as 0% contained by InciWeb.
The Northern Rockies Team 2 Complex Incident Management Team, under the leadership of Scott Schuster, took command of the fire on Saturday morning due to its complexity and size.
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced on Saturday that the state has obtained a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with the costs of battling the Horse Gulch fire.
This grant will provide over $950,000 in federal mitigation funding to reduce the risk of future life and property loss from potential disasters, he explained.
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Gianforte mentioned that he has requested an on-site briefing from the incident command in the upcoming days to assess the situation. He highlighted the impact of the fire on York, with nearly 500 homes and more than 400 people at risk.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, in coordination with Disaster and Emergency Services, submitted the request for financial firefighting assistance, which was approved by FEMA.
Fire crews are focusing on strengthening and holding the line on the south side along Canyon Ferry Road and Jimtown Road on the west side of the fire, while the fire continues to grow mainly to the north and east, especially at higher elevations along the ridges.
The priority on Saturday is to maintain, strengthen, and fortify the fire lines on the south and west sides of the fire. Additional efforts will involve building fire lines along the west and northwest side to protect private land, with firefighting teams, heavy equipment operators, and aircraft strategically positioned in safe locations.
During a public meeting at East Helena High School on Friday night, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton and other representatives provided updates to the community about the fire’s location and behavior. This meeting was the second one hosted by the agencies involved in battling the fire.
Some residents have been evacuated from the fire area due to safety concerns.
Matt Plagenz, an operations section chief with the U.S. Forest Service, commended the resources allocated to the northwest corner of the fire to maintain control and prevent further spread into Hellgate Canyon. He expressed confidence in the firefighting teams’ efforts, noting that no structures have been lost so far.
Plagenz highlighted a minor incident on the south side of the fire on Friday, where crews managed to contain the spread across two acres. The primary goal remains to prevent the fire from reaching Hellgate Canyon, which has been successfully achieved thus far.
Although some parts of the fire remain unstaffed to protect homes and private properties, Plagenz assured that as more personnel arrive, these areas will be adequately covered.
A red flag warning is still in effect, with anticipated westerly winds of 20 to 25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph until midnight on Saturday.
To address community concerns and provide updates, the U.S. Forest Service and Sheriff Dutton will host another public information meeting on Saturday night at East Helena High School at 6 p.m., with the option to stream the meeting on the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest Facebook page.
The Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department issued a statement on Facebook warning of increased fire risk and activity around Horse Gulch, urging the public to stay clear of air traffic dipping on the lake to avoid disrupting firefighting operations.
Ryan Leach, a National Weather Service representative, emphasized the challenging fire weather conditions that will impact the fire’s behavior and limit firefighting efforts. Bruce Giersdorf, a fire behavior analyst for the incident management team, highlighted the influence of sunlight and wind direction on the fire’s progression, particularly in complex terrains with varied fuel sources.
Giersdorf acknowledged the unpredictable nature of firefighting under variable weather conditions, explaining that a seemingly calm day can lead to rapid fire spread, while a more active fire day might not result in significant growth.
Several agencies expressed their gratitude to the local agencies involved in the firefighting efforts at the Friday night meeting, while Dutton reiterated the importance of complying with law enforcement instructions during the fire emergency to ensure public safety.
Dutton highlighted the evacuation orders for specific areas, road closures, and campground restrictions to prevent further risks and ensure public safety.
Super Late Model racer Jason Kreth had to evacuate partially due to the Horse Gulch fire near his home, expressing gratitude for the support from fans and racing teams during this challenging time.
The sheriff also participated in a news conference with the National Transportation Safety Board regarding a tragic incident involving a pilot who died while fighting the fire.
Additional updates were provided about the crash involving the pilot and the ongoing investigation to determine the cause and preventive measures for future incidents.
Information from eyewitnesses and community members near the crash site is being sought to aid in the investigation, with a request to submit any relevant information to witness@ NTSB.gov.
Sports Writer Daniel Shepard contributed to this story. Sonny Tapia covers criminal justice and education for the Helena Independent Record.