Last week we had some thunderstorms that started some fires near Helena. One of them is about 7 miles north of us and is about 437 acres. It is far away from us so there is no concern that this fire would spread to where we live.
The inciweb site publishes info on fires...
The Shellrock Fire is burning heavy timber and grass in steep remote country with extremely difficult access. The fire is primarily located in the Beartooth Wildlife Management Area and portions of private ranchlands. The fire is approximately five miles north of Beaver Creek Road, and two miles west of Middle Creek Lake. A high-voltage powerline and pipeline is in the area but not threatened at this time along with two ranch cabins and a historic cabin.
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) County Assist Team, Incident Commander David Hamilton, is in place and managing the fire while working closely with local landowners, Cascade County, Fish Wildlife and Parks, and interagency fire cooperators.
Firefighting efforts on Thursday August 16th concentrated on addressing spot fires; wetting active areas in the main fire perimeter with water from helicopter bucket drops, engines and skidgens; and continuing to build and improve hand tool and equipment fire line to check the fire’s growth.
CLOSURE: Fish Wildlife and Parks Beartooth Wildlife Management Area is closed due to fire activity and will open as soon as it is safe to do so.
EVACUATION: No evacuations are in place.
2 Engines
3 Helicopters
2 Twenty-person hand crews
14 Smokejumpers
4 Heavy Equipment (2 dozers, 2 skidgens)
