Firefighters from the Helena Fire Department and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation successfully contained a wildfire on the north face of Mt. Helena Monday afternoon. According to a city press release, the fire was initially reported at 4:30 p.m. by the DNRC, which indicated it had burned about a quarter of an acre. By 5:10 p.m., an update confirmed it was contained to less than half an acre.
The response included two fire engines and one helicopter, using the Mt. Helena trailhead as a staging area. Although the fire is contained, efforts to extinguish it completely continue with DNRC helicopters dropping water. The cause of the wildfire remains unclear and is under investigation.
City officials urge residents to avoid the Mt. Helena area and refrain from using drones over the fire zone. Previously, a drone delayed firefighting efforts during a 2022 blaze on Mount Helena, posing a safety threat to pilots. Although no evacuation orders have been issued, it is crucial to exercise caution as Mt. Helena is near several neighborhoods in Helena’s south hills.
For more information on fire safety and updates, visit the DNRC Facebook page or refer to other local news outlets.
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