The evacuation order for the area from Jimtown Road to Hellgate Gulch Road and south of Canyon Ferry Road is transitioning to an evacuation warning, during which the area will be open to residents only.
UPDATE: July 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Additionally, the evacuation order for the area from Jimtown Road to Hellgate Gulch Road and south of Canyon Ferry Road is transitioning to an evacuation warning, during which the area will be open to residents only.
These residents must remain on their own property and be prepared to leave if conditions change, but they can travel in and out of the area for work, doctor appointments, etc.
Residents are not allowed to venture into evacuated areas and if they are found in evacuated areas, they may be issued a citation.
Other areas previously evacuated remain under evacuation order, meaning Jimtown Road to Hellgate Canyon Road, north of Canyon Ferry Road and Jimtown Road To York to Vigilante Campground. Campgrounds within the original evacuation are still closed.
UPDATE: July 14 at 10:00 a.m.
The Horse Gulch Fire reached 12,797 acres burned as of Sunday morning.
The Sheriff’s Office did escorts to private property on the morning of July 14, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., according to the official government website here.
Residents were allowed 15 minutes to gather personal property or tend to animals at their property.
Remember, the Closure Order is still in place for the National Forest System lands around the fire, per Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Some growth in Hores Gulch Fire happened overnight and the acreage Saturday morning is at 11,607.
UPDATE: July 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Fire Growth:
The Horse Gulch Fire reached 11,607 acres burned as of Saturday morning. With winds calming through Friday night, the growth was not very large.
Resources for those in need and information about how to donate to help can be found in the previous update of this article below.
Sheriff Leo Dutton explains how a cow pie could ignite new fires:
Cow patties can be burning slowly like an ember. If that were to roll down the hill, that could ignite the next fire. People are allowed to recreate near the fire but be aware of scooper planes, and absolutely do not fly drones.
Recreation Advisories
People are allowed to recreate in the Canyon Ferry and Hauser Lake areas but should be aware and out of the way of scooper planes and helicopters, as Hauser is the main water source to be carried to burning areas.
Drones Not Permitted
Sheriff Leo Dutton would like to remind people not to fly drones anywhere near the fire area. When drones are in the air, firefighting planes cannot fly. He also warned drones are at risk for being shot down.
Rights to stand your ground
Property owners have a constitutional right to defend their properties. Sheriff Dutton explains their first priority is keeping everyone safe, which leads to evacuation orders. With the areas of grass and pine needles being so dry, something like a cow patty that’s been smoldering can be enough to ignite a new fire, emphasizing the fragility of the landscape in these conditions as well as the importance of evacuating.
Jimtown to Hellgate Gulch up about a mile and a half ,Hellgate campground is closed as well. On the York side, all of the Jimtown road is closed starting at York Road and all roads surrounding Vigilante Campground is closed as well.
Evacuations are still in place for the same areas.
On the Canyon Ferry side:
- Canyon Ferry Road from Jimtown Road to Hellgate Gulch, approximately a mile and a half into Broadwater County
- All roads between Jimtown Road to Broadwater County Line, both north and south of Canyon Ferry Road
- Hellgate Campground is closed
On the York side:
- All of Jimtown Road
- York Road from Jimtown Road to Vigilante Campground
- All feeder roads from the York/Jimtown intersection to Vigilante Campground
Officials Speak at Horse Gulch Town Hall, July 12:
Map of Horse Gulch Fire Evacuations as of July 12:
UPDATE: July 12 at 4:27 p.m.
At this time on Friday, the following areas are currently under evacuation and those leaving the areas will not be allowed to re-enter for reasons other than short life-sustaining visits. The fire reached 11,510 acres as of 3 p.m. Friday.
Evacuations and closures
On the Canyon Ferry side:
- Canyon Ferry Road from Jimtown Road to Hellgate Gulch, approximately a mile and a half into Broadwater County
- All roads between Jimtown Road to Broadwater County Line, both north and south of Canyon Ferry Road
- Hellgate Campground is closed
On the York side:
- All of Jimtown Road
- York Road from Jimtown Road to Vigilante Campground
- All feeder roads from the York/Jimtown intersection to Vigilante Campground
All areas managed by the Forest Service in the Big Belt Mountains are closed from Confederate Gulch north to the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness.
Helena Community Bands Together to Offer Resources for those affected
For those in need of assistance in finding shelter, the Montana Disaster and Emergency Service asks you call 1-406-215-1514.
The community of Helena is truly rallying together to support one another, whether that’s
