Update 9:30 p.m.- The Montana DNRC estimates the Harris Mountain Fire burned to 550 acres Friday and is 0% percent contained.
In a news release the DNRC said:
DNRC is coordinating with the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and multiple volunteer fire departments from Cascade County. DNRC Central Land Office has prioritized response efforts and suppression resources to the fire, including an incident commander, air resources, and multiple fire engines. DNRC has also ordered additional resources and an Incident Management Team; however, given heightened fire activity across the state and geographic area, resource availability is limited.
Firefighters continue to prioritize suppressing the fire as quickly as possible while protecting values at risk such as infrastructure, private property, and natural resources. According to Cascade County Sheriff Slaughter, an evacuation order is in place for one home and evacuation warnings are in place for additional homes. Residents are asked to avoid the area as much as possible to allow fire response efforts to travel unheeded into the area. If driving through the area, please reduce speeds and be mindful of any posted signs restricting access or calling for alternate routes.
Update 5:30 p.m. - The Cascade County Sheriff Office reports the Harris Mountain Fire is on both Private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Property.
The specific location is approximately 10 miles due south of the Town of Cascade on Sections 21 and 22, south of Upper Basin Road.
One residence has been evacuated as of this time and Pre-Evacuation warnings have been given to multiple other Ranches in the area.
"It is roaring though," said Sheriff Slaughter on Facebook. "The heat, lack of humidity and wind have really made that fire pick up."
Original Story - A wildfire has been reported Friday afternoon between Cascade and Craig, east of I-15.
The Harris Mountain Fire is burning in the southwest end of Cascade County.
At this time it is unknown the size of the fire, but likely in the hundreds of acres according to emergency personnel. The fire is creating a large smoke plumb that can be seen more than 20 miles away.
Helicopters with water buckets can be seen making drops on the fire.
MTN has reporters en route and will update this story as more information becomes available.
