New wildfire gaining ground in eastern Montana, surpasses 1600 acres burned

As firefighters doused the flames on wildland fires in the western half of Montana, a new fire reported just last Monday in eastern Montana was gaining ground.

According to Dan Hottle, press officer for the U.S. Forest Service, the Horse Creek 2 Fire, burning in timber and grass 20 miles east of Hardin has now grown to 1,670 acres, making it the second largest active fire in the state.

At last report the fire was burning in the extreme southeastern corner of Treasure County, with 41 firefighters, four engines and a Forest Service helicopter assigned to fight the blaze.

The Northern Rockies Coordination Center reports that the Horse Creek 2 Fire is now 50% contained, and that crews are now building a dozer line around the fire to contain its continued spread.

Old Baldy Fire

Burning in a rugged and remote area of the Tobacco Root Mountains, the Old Baldy Fire was not firefighters main priority a week ago. Now it is.

The Old Baldy Fire has now consumed 130 acres of forest land in the Beaverhead - Deerlodge National Forest eight miles east of Twin Bridges. The 86 member fire crew currently battling the blaze continue to scout fire lines, and are relying on four helicopters to keep the fire south of Old Baldy Mountain.

"If opportunities to go direct exist, crews will engage in direct line construction where safe to do so," the NRCC daily update states.

Falling Star Fire

Just a few days ago the Falling Star Fire north of Park City was the number one priority fire in Montana, due in large part to the threat it posed to a developed area of Stillwater County just north of Park City.

None of the 200 structures once threatened were destroyed by the fire, which is now 100% contained, and for all intents and purposes has been declared extinguished.

"There's a few interior hot spots and they'll be working on those, and will be monitoring them for the next couple of days," said Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator, Carol Arkell.

A mandatory evacuation order for the area was lifted Monday as fire crews containing 119 personnel, 27 engines and three helicopters gained an upper hand on the blaze.

"We lifted the evacuation order that evening and they got to go home about nine o'clock that night," Arkell said. "We ask residents and people in the county to be very careful. We still have fire apparatus going up there, and the safety of the fire personnel is real important. Stay away as much as you can."

The Stillwater County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday that they had determined the Falling Star Fire was accidental, but human caused. Investigation into the 2,277-acre blaze is ongoing.

Magpie Rock Fire 

Burning in timber and tall grass eight miles east of Dixon, the Magpie Rock Fire is the largest in Montana thus far into the 2020 fire season. As of Tuesday morning, nine fire crews consisting of 270 personnel were battling the blaze, which has scorched 3,539-acres on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

The Magpie Rock Fire is currently listed as 62% contained, with 10 engines and six helicopters committed to the effort. Crews continue to expand and reinforce fire-lines to halt its spread, while cleaning up unburned islands of fuel within the fire's perimeter.

More:Officials predict active Montana fire season amid COVID-19

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Bon Accord Fire

Burning within sight of Bannock State Park, home to what was once Montana's territorial capital, the Bon Accord Fire is now 30% contained and creeping slowly away from the historic ghost town. No structures of any type are reported to have been destroyed

Two crews containing a total of 110 firefighters, 12 engines and two helicopters continue to fight the blaze which has consumed 190-acres. The emphasis at this time has largely transitioned to mop-up with the continuing construction of hose lines to assist in that effort.

More:Crews respond to fire on Central Avenue in Great Falls

Horse Shoe Fire

Fire crews from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have gained the upper-hand on the Horse Shoe Fire, which is burning in ponderosa pine and juniper stands 11 miles west of Ronan.

The fire is believed to have started due to an unattended camp fire near the western shore of the Flathead River. The Horse Shoe Fire burned 140-acres before crews consisting of 45 personnel and assisted by five air tankers and two helicopters managed to put a halt to its progress. The fire is now 80% contained with a small mop-up crew assigned to extinguish any hot spots.

David Murray is Natural Resources/Agriculture reporter for the Great Falls Tribune. To contact him with comments or story ideas; email dmurray@greatfallstribune.com or call (406) 403-3257. To preserve quality, in-depth journalism in northcentral Montana subscribe to the Great Falls Tribune.