GREAT FALLS — The Black Mountain Fire (Inciweb) burning several miles northwest of Lincoln in Lewis & Clark County exhibited little if any growth overnight, and is still estimated at 65 acres with zero containment.
There have been no reported injuries, and no reported damaged structures as of mid-day on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
The fire was reported just before 3 p.m. on Monday; the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Officials with the Helena-Lewis & Clark Forest said that retardant and water drops on Monday helped limit fire spread. Three air tankers are on the ramp in Helena ready to rejoin the suppression efforts.
The Bitterroot Hotshots arrived Monday night, and additional hand crews have been ordered.
Fire managers hope to take advantage of an existing road and a mountain bike trail as they begin fireline construction.
The Pine Grove Campground remains closed. The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office has evacuations in place (see below).
The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at the Lincoln Public School building to serve those affected by the fire.
MT Highway 200 through Lincoln remains open.
People are asked stay out of the area and be aware of increased emergency vehicle traffic on roads and highways in the vicinity.
(JULY 29, 10:05 p.m.) Just after 10 p.m., Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest officials said that fire is estimated to have burned between 50 and 70 acres about six miles northwest of Lincoln.
Three large air tankers and two Type 1 helicopters worked into the evening to keep the fire in check. Single and multiple tree torching was observed in the evening as the fire slowly moved down the northwest slope.
At 6:40 p.m., Sheriff Dutton updated the evacution order, which now includes: North of Lone Point and Tamarack. North of North Lincoln Gulch/Morris Drive North of the intersection of Beavercreek Road and Stonewall Creek and all feeder roads north of that intersection.
The Pine Grove Campground has been evacuated.
The forest is thick with dead and downed timber, and access is limited.
Managers are working to determine if they can utilize an existing road and a mountain bike trail as they prepare to begin constructing fire line on Tuesday.
As of 10 p.m., MT Highway 200 through Lincoln is open.
(1st REPORT) An evacuation order was issued on Monday, July 29, 2024, for residences in the vicinity of the Black Mountain Fire in Lewis & Clark County.
The order applies to residences north of Highway 200 from Lone Point Drive to the east just past Stonewall Creek due to a wildfire several miles northwest of the town of Lincoln.
Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton issued the evacuation order at 5:35 p.m.
The fire was reported just before 3 p.m. on Monday, and has burned an estimated 50 acres.
The Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest says the fire is advancing toward the Lincoln Springs area.
We will update you as we get more information.
