July Fire 80 percent contained

Havre Daily News staff

The team in command of the crews fighting a wildfire in the Little Rocky Mountains reported this morning that the fire near Zortman, Landusky, Hays and Lodge Pole is 80 percent contained.

Wednesday’s cooler temperatures and higher humidity reduced fire intensity, “allowing crews to make great progress on the fire line, the interagency command team said in the release.

“Supported by optimal weather conditions, aircraft and crews on the ground continued burnout operations in the northern area to remove unburned fuels in the interior. Firefighters on foot continued to patrol for hotspots along cool areas of the fire.”

The fire was first reported near Zortman July 3. As of this morning, the release said, it has burned 11,384 acres, or nearly 18 square miles.

Jonathan Moor, public information officer for the federal Bureau of Land Management North-Central Montana District, said this morning investigators have determined the fire was human-caused.

Moor said he could not give more information about the cause of the fire because the bureau does not comment on incidents under investigations.

The federal Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairst, Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and Phillips County and Blaine County sheriff’s offices are listed as the agencies cooperating in responding to the fire.

The fire burned to within one-quarter mile of Zortman and led to the evacuation of Landusky last Friday. The residents of Landusky returned home Sunday.

The release said crews have begun working on rehabilitating fire lines used to contain the fire. Heavy equipment will still be present during the rehabilitation process and area residents and visitors should use caution. Fire hoses, equipment and pumps are being removed in some areas where there has been no recent fire activity as crews focus their efforts on burn-out operations and furthering the containment line progression, the release adds.