New Evacuation Orders Issued as Horse Gulch Fire Continues to Expand, Now Covering Over 7,000 Acres

Dramatic aerial wildfire scene.

New Evacuations Ordered As Horse Gulch Fire Continues to Spread

Updates on Evacuations

In a recent development, the Lewis and Clark Co. Sheriff’s Office issued new evacuation orders as the Horse Gulch Fire continued to escalate. Areas north up to Nelson and east to Vigilante Campground, including York, are being evacuated by crews as of the latest reports. More information is awaited in this developing story.

A meeting is scheduled later today at the East Helena High School gym by the Lewis and Clark Sheriff’s Office which will provide updates and information related to the fire. The meeting will also be broadcasted online and those interested can join via a provided link.

Growth of the Fire

The Horse Gulch Fire, according to the wildfire information app Watch Duty, has recently expanded to a massive 7,594 acres. Earlier in the day, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest reported that the fire had spread to about 2,000 acres, with most of the expansion happening on the southern and eastern flanks.

In a swift response, teams have started to focus on constructing lines in an attempt to prohibit the fire from expanding onto private land. A closure order has also been issued by the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest for certain parts north and south of Forest Service System Roads.

About the Fire

The fire, which is reportedly human-caused, had sprouted about two miles north of Canyon Ferry. Upon examination of extreme fire behavior, the National Interagency Fire Centre’s Daily Situation Report suggested that the Horse Gulch Fire had grown to at least 1,000 acres, following Wednesday’s extreme fire behavior.

A Type III incident management team has been assigned to command Horse Gulch Fire as of Thursday morning. Their specialized training in managing major, complex incidents is expected to aid in fire control and bring in much-needed resources.

Loss and Damage

Till now, thankfully, there have been no reports of structures getting destroyed by the fire. However, in a tragic incident, a 45-year-old woman fighting the fire died when a single-engine air tanker (SEAT) crashed into Hauser Lake. The incident is being investigated and the identity of the pilot is being withheld until her family is notified.

The response and aid from our first responders and wildland firefighters exemplify true courage and bravery, as they continue to face these life-threatening situations head-on in order to protect communities.

Precautions and Assistance

Due to the fire, areas between Cave Gulch to Magpie Gulch on both sides of Canyon Ferry Rd. remain evacuated while the Riverside Campground has been closed. An order to close the forest in the area of the fire is also impending. Assistance to evacuees is being provided at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Helena by the Red Cross.