UPDATE: 3:17 p.m. - August 16, 2024
A small wildfire that broke out Friday on Mount Sentinel has been fully contained.
The lightning-caused Hellgate Fire is estimated at 1/10 of an acre on Mount Sentinel.
An update from the Lolo National Forest states there is little fire activity with a pair of heavy downed logs producing most of the smoke.
The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain in a timber fuel type with a high density of snags with limited access for firefighters.
Firefighters used a helicopter for water bucket drops to help cool down the fire.
The fire is 100% contained but smoke still may be visible in the Missoula area.
Firefighters also responded to a small fire on Friday near the Pattee Canyon Recreation Area.
The fire, which is estimated at 1/10th of an acre is smoldering in heavy dead and down trees.
Crews constructed handline around the fire and it is fully contained.
(first report: 11:20 a.m. - August 16, 2024)
A wildfire is burning on the East Missoula side of Mount Sentinel.
Firefighters from the Lolo National Forest have been responding to the scene which is about 1½ miles south of East Missoula.
Smoke from the fire may be visible from Interstate 90, the Madison Street Bridge area, and East Missoula.
An alert sent out on Friday morning asks that people not call 9-1-1 regarding the fire.
We will have additional information as it becomes available.
