UPDATE: July 15 at 9:15 a.m.
The Horse Gulch Fire is currently burning approximately 12,797 acres with zero-percent containment as of Monday morning.
The following press release is from the Norther Rockies National Incident Management Team:
CURRENT STATUS
Yesterday, crews and aerial assets successfully contained two large spot fires that spread outside the fire area during a wind event on Saturday afternoon. They started hand line in steep terrain between the 693B1 Road and 425 Road to connect with nearly complete dozer line up Neversweat Gulch towards the 4136B Road. Crews continued strengthening the existing line along the fire’s southern edge. Progress was made in building and reinforcing fire line from Jimtown Road to York, which has been holding well. The Structure Group assessed and protected properties threatened by potential fire activity. Aerial resources were busy delivering 80,000 gallons of retardant, 70,000 gallons of water by helicopter, and 300,000 gallons of water by Super Scoopers. Ground resources were essential to back up aerial drops by cooling flames and digging line after drops to prevent fire reignition. Night crews worked on strengthening lines, patrolling the perimeter, and watching for spot fires. Today, crews and equipment will bridge gaps between existing fire line, reinforce lines by cooling the edge, and “cold trail” to completely extinguish hidden heat sources. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones help in suppression efforts by applying controlled burns and using infrared cameras to detect hot spots near the perimeter.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Cloud cover reduced fire activity yesterday, with lower humidity in the teens and temperatures in the 90s across the fire area. Today, temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler with decreasing humidity and lighter winds around 15mph. No Red Flag Warning is issued for today.
EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
Evacuations (UPDATED): Effective 7/14/24, the evacuation order from Jimtown Road to Hellgate Gulch Road south of Canyon Ferry Road will transition to an evacuation warning. The area will be open to residents only with proof of residency required. https://www.lccountymt.gov/Emergency-Management/HORSEGULCH-FIRE-Information
Road Closure: Canyon Ferry Road is closed from Canyon Ferry Village to the Broadwater County line. Campground closures include Hellgate, Court Sheriff, Chinamen’s Gulch, and Riverside.
Forest Closure: The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has issued a road, trail, and area closure order, which can be found at Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest – Home (usda.gov)
BLM Closure: The Butte Field Office has issued a closure on BLM lands near the fire area. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/mthlf-horse-gulch-fire/signed-blm-area-closure-07-14-2024
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, allowing area access only to residents.
Residents in these areas must stay on their property and be prepared to evacuate if necessary, with limited exceptions for essential activities such as work and medical appointments.
Residents are prohibited from entering evacuated areas, and violation may result in citations.
Other previously evacuated areas remain under evacuation order, including Jimtown Road to Hellgate Canyon Road, north of Canyon Ferry Road and Jimtown Road To York to Vigilante Campground. Campgrounds within the original evacuation remain closed.
UPDATE: July 14 at 10:00 a.m.
The Horse Gulch Fire has now spread to 12,797 acres burned as of Sunday morning.
The Sheriff’s Office conducted escort services for private property visits on the morning of July 14, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., as detailed on the official government website here: Limited Property Owner Access.
Residents were given 15 minutes to gather personal belongings or tend to animals on their property during the escorted visits.
Remember, the Closure Order is still in place for National Forest System lands surrounding the fire area, as per Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Some growth in Hores Gulch Fire happened overnight, with acreage reaching 11,607 on Saturday morning.
UPDATE: July 13 at 11:00 a.m.
Fire Growth:
The Horse Gulch Fire has now reached 11,607 acres burned as of Saturday morning. The fire’s growth was minimal due to calming winds through Friday night.
Information on resources for those in need and opportunities to donate for assistance can be found in the previous article update below.
Sheriff Leo Dutton explains the fire risks:
Burning cow patties can act as embers that spark new fires if rolled downhill. Recreational activities near the fire are allowed but caution is advised, especially regarding firefighting aircraft and the prohibition of drones.
Recreation Advisories
Recreational activities are permitted in the Canyon Ferry and Hauser Lake areas, but residents should be cautious around firefighting aircraft and ensure they remain clear of the flight paths to prevent interference with firefighting operations.
Drones Not Permitted
Sheriff Leo Dutton emphasized the prohibition of flying drones near the fire area as they pose serious risks to firefighting aircraft. Drones in the air hinder aerial firefighting operations and are at risk of being grounded or shot down.
Defending Properties
Property owners have the right to defend their properties, but safety is the top priority. Sheriff Dutton urged compliance with evacuation orders due to the extreme fire danger posed by dry grass and pine needles, which can easily ignite with minimal spark sources.
Evacuation orders are still in effect for the specified areas.
Evacuations remain in place for the following areas:
On the Canyon Ferry side:
- Canyon Ferry Road from Jimtown Road to Hellgate Gulch, approximately 1.5 miles into Broadwater County
- All roads between Jimtown Road to Broadwater County Line, 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 Address Horse Gulch Fire Concerns at Town Hall, July 12:
Map of Horse Gulch Fire Evacuations as of July 12:
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