HELENA – Firefighters from multiple agencies are on the scene of a wildfire that’s burning in the Helena area.
The Lewis and Clark Co. Sheriff’s Office tells MTN News that crews are working a blaze in Helena’s North Hills and are facing difficult terrain.
Sheriff Leo Dutton says that firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, DNRC, and at least seven different local agencies are trying to get the 25 to 30 acre wildfire under control.
Officials say the terrain has made it difficult to get engines and water tenders in the area and crews are working the fire by hand. Additional helicopters from Missoula and Dillon have been called in to help.
Firefighters are working to prevent the fire from crossing a ridge into the Black Sandy area where there are several dozen homes.
The fire is currently located at least three miles north of Snowdrift Road and is burning on Bureau of Land Management land.
Sheriff Dutton said the fire ignited in an area known to be popular with shooting. They have not determined what started the fire but suspect it was human-caused.
The BLM is investigating.
-Eric Jochim reporting for MTN News
