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Officials aiding the fight against the Horse Gulch fire near Helena held their third public information meeting Saturday evening and continued to try to answer questions.
During the meeting, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton fielded questions regarding evacuations and when residents from evacuation zones could retrieve their life-sustaining items.
Dutton said the best time for people to try to get their items would be Sunday from 7-10 a.m.
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“That’s when fire activity seems to be at its lowest. If we have people, we can try to escort you in,” Dutton said.
The sheriff’s office requests all residents wishing to enter the evacuation area be patient due to law enforcement numbers.
People admitted to enter will be allotted 15 minutes.
“We will do our best,” Dutton said.
On Saturday the fire, which started Tuesday afternoon, was reported at 11,607 acres and burning about five miles south of York. Several evacuation orders are in effect.Â
People who want to access life-sustaining supplies can contact Lewis & Clark County dispatch at 406-447-8293 to make a request. Follow two prompts to get to dispatch, and information will be relayed to a commander.
Officials said there will be an informational video posted on the Horse Gulch fire Facebook account run by the operations section chiefs involved in the fire.
Spotting from the Horse Gulch fire burns in the Magpie Gulch canyon on July 11.
The video should be posted around 10 a.m., officials said, and will inform the public about how the fire progressed overnight and what the plan of attack will be the rest of the day.
Sonny Tapia is a criminal justice and education reporter for the Helena Independent Record.
