Firefighters Using Cooler Weather With New Blaze Near Lincoln

Update: Wednesday 7/31/24

Fire crews made good use of yesterday's cool weather to slow the Black Mountain Fire, and will continue work today to expand fire lines.

The Lewis and CLark County Sheriff has revised the earlier evacuation order to an evacuation warning, allowing people to return to their properties

Original story, Tuesday 7/30/24

Tuesday's cooler weather couldn't have come at a better time, as fire teams try to gain the upper hand on a dangerous blaze that erupted in the Upper Blackfoot Valley Monday.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest reports the Black Mountain Fire was first noticed in the afternoon, and quickly grew to nearly 70-aces, even with a fast attack by aerial firefighting equipment.

That prompted the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office to begin ordering some evacuations for nearby residents.

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Fire burning just outside Lincoln

The Forest Service says the fire is located about 6 miles northwest of Lincoln and had burned a total of 65 acres, as of Tuesday morning.

Three large air tankers and two Type 1 helicopters attacked the blaze quickly with retardant and water and kept flying until they were grounded by dark. There was evidence of active fire behavior through the evening, with single and multiple trees "torching."

Evacuations ordered

The Sheriff's office issued the evacuation alert, which includes the popular Pine Grove Campground and areas of homes on the north side go Highway 200. The updated order included homes north of Lone Point and Tamarach, north of North Lincoln Gulch and Morris Drive, and north of the intersection of Beavercreek Road and Stonewall Creek, with all feeder roads north of that intersection.

The Montana Red Cross has set up a shelter for the evacuees at Lincoln School.

Tough terrain

The fire is burning in steep country covered with dead and downed timber left behind from previous fires, with limited access. Fire managers are attempting to use an existing road, and a mountain bike trail to construct fire line.

Additional equipment and manpower were also being dispatched.

READ MORE: Montana Fires Impacting Air Quality