Firefighters in Yellowstone County are currently extinguishing a wildfire that erupted south of Billings on Friday.
The Jack fire consumed about 33 acres before being brought under control by firefighters, including those from the Blue Creek Fire Volunteer Fire Department. Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder confirmed that no injuries occurred during the firefighting efforts and no structures were damaged.
Sheriff Linder stated, “It appears that the fire was likely caused by lightning.”
On Friday, the wildfire near Hillcrest Road and South Keller Road prompted a county-wide request for firefighting teams. Helicopters and planes dropped retardant while tankers and water trucks were on the ground to combat the flames, as reported by the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office on social media.
In an update on Saturday morning, the sheriff’s office praised the volunteers who came to assist the firefighting crews, with so many volunteers responding that some had to be turned away from the scene.
Montana has experienced wildfires burning approximately 113,000 acres through 2024, with ten of the state’s 51 active wildfires reported in the past day. While dry lightning strikes and coal seams often ignite wildfires, human activities are the leading cause of wildfires in the United States, including unattended campfires, debris burning, and discarded cigarette butts.
Since late July, Yellowstone County has been under Stage 1 fire restrictions, prohibiting setting fires for debris and land clearing without a permit. The National Weather Service forecasts hot weather for the Billings area over the next week, with temperatures expected to reach the 90s starting on Sunday.