WHITEHALL — Wildland firefighters are working to contain a wildland fire that was called in around 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The fire, called the Antelope Fire, is located approximately 12 miles north of Whitehall in the Bull Mountains and was burning 462 acres as of this afternoon.
It’s burning on private and Forest Service lands near Potter and Dearborn Canyons in Douglas-fir, juniper and grass, and is moving northeast. Crews are working on the south side of the fire constructing handline. Two helicopters are doing bucket drops of water on the north end of the fire.
Jefferson County and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest are managing the fire. Four fire engines and two helicopters are on scene and more firefighting resources are ordered and on their way to the fire.
Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
As hot windy conditions prevail, fire officials advise being cautious with fire, and avoiding driving Whitetail Road north of Whitehall to avoid getting in the way of firefighting equipment.
Firefighters from the Forest Service, Boulder, Harrison and Butte Volunteer Fire Departments, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation are also assisting.
