HELENA — The Horse Gulch Fire has burned more than 10,000 acres northeast of Helena over the past few days and forced residents and visitors alike to find new places to stay. MTN looked into the options available to these folks who were forced out of their house and homes.
Tammy Hosfield and her partner William Kubu were forced to evacuate their RV space at the Canyon Ferry RV park. They brought their cars, dogs, and camper to their storage facility where they stayed one night.
Since then, they’ve been at Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds. But this Sunday, they’re being forced out due to an incoming event.
Hosfield has been through two other house fires in the past. Thankfully, her daughter’s friend said they can stay on her property.
“If we couldn't have gotten this out here, I would have lost another home. You know, and it's, it's terrifying. And the fact that somebody had, was willing to reach out to my daughter and say I've got a safe place for your mom to come and stay is just, it's nice to find a community that is willing to reach out and help their neighbors,” says Hosfield.
For hours, Hosfield tried calling hotels to get a room. She only found two available: one that was hundreds of dollars per night and another that wouldn’t allow pets, even if left in the car in the parking lot.
“I spent about 2 1/2 hours on the phone calling every motel in town Wednesday night. There wasn't a motel in town to be had,” says Hosfield.
I called around town to see what was available. While I did find some availability, most were hundreds of dollars per night. Many of the hotels have had evacuees call in looking for vacancy, including the Lamplighter Cabins and Suites.
“Constantly, every day, we're getting about 20 to 30 calls to find out if we have vacancy,” says Amy Mclain, General Manager of Lamplighter Cabins and Suites.
Mclain says while their rooms are booked Friday and Saturday evening, there will be vacancies for the week beginning Sunday. They’ve welcomed in a few evacuees over the past few days. They will be offering a 10% discount for those displaced by the fire.
“I'm happy that we're able to accommodate people when they are being displaced from the fire at the moment and it's something that we can do as a community as a whole to be able to help them,” says Mclain.
Steed Industries has also opened its property for temporary storage for those displaced. They’ve also opened up their concert grounds in the North Valley for folks to bring their livestock to. Evacuees can reach out directly to them if interested.
(FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 12) The Horse Gulch Fire (Inciweb) east-northeast of Helena has now burned more than 10,000 acres; there is no containment at this point.
An overnight infrared flight mapped the fire size on Friday morning at 10,849 acres.
Northern Rockies Team 8, Type III Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Brad Bergman is spearheading firefighting efforts.
No homes or structures have been lost. While overnight recoveries on temperature and humidity were short, firefighters were able to hold the west line on Jimtown Road and slow fire spread to the north. Minimal spread was seen on the east and south sides of the fire last night.
Crews have completed a dozer line along the southern border of the fire. Winds are expected to be slightly lower today with winds from the north at 5-7 mph. However, conditions will still be hot and dry today with a Fire Weather Watch on Saturday afternoon to Sunday.
EVACUATIONS
The following evacuation orders are in effect:
Canyon Ferry Road - from Jimtown Road to the Broadwater County line
All roads north and south of Canyon Ferry Road between Jimtown Road to Broadwater County line
Cave Gulch to Magpie Gulch north of Canyon Ferry Road
Jimtown Road to York and York Road north to Vigilante Campground
Canyon Ferry Road is closed at Canyon Ferry Village to the Broadwater County line
Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said in a news release: "Because of the fire situation, we are allowing people to enter the fire area for LIFE SUSTAINING MATERIALS ONLY. And for very short time periods. Do not show up wanting to check on your property. Sorry, time does not allow us to do that. If you need life sustaining items or something of that nature we will do our best to help. We are evaluating these on a case by case basis. You can contact Lewis & Clark County Dispatch who will relay to our commander the request. That phone number is 406-447-8293. Follow two prompts to get to dispatch."
FIRE HISTORY
The fire was reported at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday and is centered about five miles south of York, and two miles north of Canyon Ferry.
York and Tri Lake and all resources at Helena Ranger District responded first. More than 40 people and a helicopter responded initially.
Due to the dryness they weren't able to contain the fire on Tuesday, and the Helena Ranger District called upon the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) for assistance.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but is reported to be "human-caused." Sheriff Dutton said that they have suspects, and are continuing to investigate.
PILOT DIES
One person fighting the fire died when a single-engine air tanker (SEAT) crashed into Hauser Lake on Wednesday, July 10.
The plane was contracted to the U.S. Forest Service and was scooping water to assist with firefighting efforts.
The pilot has been identified as Juliana Turchetti, 45 years old - click here to read more.
SHELTER
The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church (3580 North Benton Street) in Helena for people impacted by the fire.
The facility will provide cots, water, snacks, and updated information; pets are welcome.
All Red Cross services are free. Evacuees who need assistance can call 406-215-1514 to get help.
If you would like to donate to Red Cross shelter operations, click here.
