Fire Weather Watch issued for Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson and Gallatin Counties
EBS STAFF
Editor’s Note: This brief has been updated to include a recent Fire Weather Watch for Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts, Helena National Forest and portions of Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson and Gallatin counties.
Many in southwest Montana woke to hazy skies this morning as a continued heat wave brings low humidity and high temperatures, increasing the likelihood of fires across Montana. Perhaps the nearest to Big Sky and Bozeman at the moment is the Horse Gulch Fire, first reported at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9.
The Horse Gulch Fire is located two miles north of Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena and as of Thursday morning has grown to over 600 acres and is 0% contained. The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuations for residents from Cave Gulch to Magpie Gulch, and south of Canyon Ferry Road. Canyon Ferry Road is closed at Canyon Ferry Village to the Broadwater County line.
Yesterday, the Missoula Current reported that a 40-year-old firefighter pilot, contracted by the U.S. Forest Service, died while fighting the fire after her plane crashed at about 12:15 p.m. in the Hauser Lake area of the Missouri River below Canyon Ferry Dam. While the cause is still under investigation, according to InciWeb, officials do believe it was human-caused.
Fire Weather Watch issued for July 13
At 2:34 p.m., Gallatin County Emergency Management sent out a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday afternoon into evening. High temps, gusty winds between 15 to 20 miles per hour, and humidity as low as 10% can rapidly spread any existing and new fires. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible. Affected areas include Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest, including portions of Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson and Gallatin Counties.
