Update: New evacuations ordered Thursday for areas north of Horse Gulch Fire

UPDATE 5:00 p.m.: Lewis and Clark Co. Sheriff Leo Dutton says new evacuation orders have been issued for the Horse Gulch Fire.

As of 4:50 p.m. Thursday crews are evacuating York, north up to Nelson and east to Vigilante Campground.

This is a developing story. We will update you when we have more information available.

The Lewis and Clark Sheriff's Office is holding a meeting Thursday at 7:00 p.m. to give updates on the fire. The meeting is at the East Helena High School gym.

The meeting will also be available online via Zoom:

• https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86458010158?pwd=C8QEcSQ40db5nweyPukQaE6oQzCAh3.1
• Meeting ID: 864 5801 0158
• Passcode: 106124

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: According to the wildfire information app Watch Duty the Horse Gulch Fire has grown to 7,594 acres.

Watch Duty

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: Just afternoon on Thursday the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest says Horse Gulch Fire had grown to 2,000 acres with most of the growth on the fire occurring on the southern and eastern flanks of the fire.

On Thursday crews will focus constructing line to prevent the fire from moving on to private land.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has issued a closure order for areas southeast of the York Gulch Road/Forest Service System Road 4136, to northwest up to and including the Avalanche Creek Road/Forest Service System Road 359, bound on the north by Magpie Mountain ridge line and bound on the south by the National Forest System lands boundary.

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

FIRST REPORT: According to the National Interagency Fire Center's daily situation report the Horse Gulch Fire grew to at least 1,000 acres following Wednesday's extreme fire behavior.

The fire started about two miles north of Canyon Ferry Tuesday afternoon. Officials have said that the fire is human-caused.

National Interagency Fire Center

A Type III incident management team is scheduled to take command Horse Gulch Fire on Thursday morning, bringing more resources to help control the fire.

A Type III team includes 10 to 20 people specifically trained to manage major, complex incidents requiring significant resources.

As of Thursday morning, there have been no reports of structures destroyed by the fire.

Tom Buchanan

One person fighting the fire died when a single-engine air tanker (SEAT) crashed into Hauser Lake. Lewis and Clark Co. Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton says the pilot, a 45-year-old woman, was the only person onboard. Sheriff Dutton has not released the identity of the pilot pending notification of the family.

In a joint statement Wednesday night, Montana and Idaho's Governors said the plane was on loan from Idaho to the U.S. Forest Service to assist with the Horse Gulch Fire.

"Our first responders and wildland firefighters put their lives on the line to quickly respond to threats and protect our communities," said Gov. Greg Gianforte and Idaho Gov. Brad Little, "It’s a true act of bravery to run toward a fire. We join all Montanans and Idahoans in praying for the fallen hero’s family and friends during this tragic time.

The area from Cave Gulch to Magpie Gulch on the north and south sides of Canyon Ferry Rd. remains evacuated. Riverside Campground has also been closed and there is a pending order to close the forest in the area of the fire.

Canyon Ferry Rd. is closed between Canyon Ferry Village and the Broadwater County line to the east.

The Red Cross has set up a shelter at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Helena. Evacuees who need assistance can call the Red Cross at (406) 215-1514 to get help.