Multiple fires start in warm, windy weather

It was a busy weekend for firefighters in Southwest Montana.

Firefighters from across the area responded to the Lump Gulch Fire in north Jefferson County near Sheep Mountain, the Sappington Fire east of Lewis and Clark Caverns, and two fires in the Clarkston Area.

LUMP GULCH

On Saturday, June 13 a fire ignited in Lump Gulch in northern Jefferson County near Sheep Mountain. As of press time the fire is approximately 1,500 acres and considered to be 15% contained. The fire cause is still under investigation. Fire crews and heavy equipment will continue to build and reinforce containment lines on the east and west side of the fire, working towards the north end. Crews will also mop up and take care of any hotspots inside the fire perimeter. Multiple aerial resources remain available.

Fire behavior and fire spread is minimal with occasional hot spots. At this time, two outbuildings have been lost in the fire. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with heavy standing dead and down timber. It is likely that this fire will continue to smolder and produce smoke in the coming weeks.

The Central Montana Type III Incident Management Team is assigned to the fire. Shane Martin is the Incident Commander.

All mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted, and on Tuesday morning Sheriff Craig Doolittle said pre-evacuation orders in Jefferson County have been lifted. Pre-evacuation notices had included Sheep Mountain, Ohio Gulch, Travis Creek, Blue Sky Heights, Forest Park Estates, Jackson Creek, and Lump Gulch. All pre-evacuation notices in Lewis and Clark County were lifted on Sunday.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest issued an area closure around the Good Neighbor Authority Brooklyn Bridge Timber Sale due to fire-related activity in the area. The DNRC is asking the public to stay clear of the area as congestion problems may impact our ability to access the area safely.

Current resources assigned to the fire include four engines, two Type 1 Crews (Hotshots), two Type II Initial Attack Cres, one 10-person module, two dozers, four helicopters, and one Feller Buncher.

Please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6770/ [gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com] [gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com] for the latest updates on the Lump Gulch Fire.

SAPPINGTON

Jefferson County Officials announced Sunday the Sappington Fire burning east of the Lewis and Clark Caverns is estimated at around 200 acres but is considered under control.

Mutual aid resources were released from the fire that started Saturday and Willow Creek VFD resumed management of the fire.

The Big Sky Fire Department reported Sunday they were able to provide mutual assistance on the fire so initial attack responders could sleep in their own beds after fighting fires all day. A Facebook post from the department reported crews from the Forest Service, DNRC, Local Fire Departments, and a DNRC helicopter all assisted and thanks to an assist from mother nature, were able to clear the scene today with a total of around 170 acres.

"Yesterday goes to show, even when fuels are green, with a dry wind and heat they can cure out and burn rapidly," states the post.

CLARKSTON

Clarkston Fire Service area #6 reported Sunday that high winds fueled fires all over Gallatin County and they responded to a mutual aid call for a fire along Interstate 90 and a wildland fire in the area of Broken Creek Road.

"The fire burned several acres of open land and got very close to a dwelling that was able to be saved. Even though air resources were tied up on other fires, we were able to get it contained with the help of a few of our mutual aid partners. Huge thanks to Gallatin Gateway Fire Department, Fort Ellis Fire Department, Central Valley Fire Department, Amsterdam Fire Department, and any department we may have forgotten to mention. Thanks also to everyone behind the scenes providing food and taking care of kids and other daily responsibilities so that our crews can be out on the line," the department stated in a social media post.