HELENA — Firefighters on the Horse Gulch Fire northeast of Helena anticipate 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 remains 0% contained as of Saturday morning.
During a public meeting on Friday night, current fire managers announced the transition from a Type 3 team to the larger Northern Rockies Team 2, a complex incident management (CIMT).
Firefighters will persist in their efforts to contain 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 give updates on Horse Gulch Fire, plane crash
Individuals needing to access their property for life-sustaining items must be escorted. Escort services will be available on a first come, first serve basis Saturday morning and will end at 10:00 a.m. each escort is limited to 15 minutes.
Officials reiterated at the Friday night meeting that, so far, no structures have been lost to the fire.
The Horse Gulch fire ignited on the afternoon of July 9 on U.S. Forest Service land. Forest Service law enforcement investigators are seeking information, including pictures, that may show vehicles in the area on that day or the fire shortly after it began.
Submit tips to: SM.FS.HLC_Tip_Line@usda.gov.
One firefighter lost their life while battling the fire. Juliana Turchetti, 45, passed away when her single-engine air tanker crashed into Hauser Lake.
The NTSB is conducting an investigation. An initial report is anticipated within the next two weeks, with the final report expected to take around 18 months to complete.
During Friday’s meeting, Sheriff Leo Dutton urged boaters on the lakes to be mindful of firefighting aircraft and helicopters, and to steer clear of their paths.
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.
Currently, the organizations are specifically requesting monetary donations. Organizers emphasize that monetary contributions allow support groups to acquire exactly what is needed and prevent stockpiling of unusable or outdated items.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 required)
Donations can be made online at HelenaAreaCommunityFoundation.org or dropped off at 901 N. Benton in Helena.
Those donating by check should indicate “fire” in the memo line.
Evacuated individuals in need of assistance can reach out to the Red Cross.
A shelter is available at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, located at 3580 N. Benton St. in Helena.
Inciweb
