Pine Grove fire grows to 17,500 acres

The Pine Grove Fire in the Little Rocky Mountains has grown to 17,500 acres, causing the evacuation of two communities in the area.

A post on the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council Facebook page about 9:30 a.m. said evacuation status still has not changed — Zortman and the Pine Grove area of Fort Belknap Indian Reservation have been evacuated — and all other surrounding communities including Hays and Lodge Pole are on evacuation warnings.

The post said helicopter mapping missions will be held today to see where the fire is in relation to the communities and where the fire is most active.

National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Hart out of Great Falls said rainstorms that came through the area basically missed the fire, with heavy rains to the west but only a few hundredths of an inch falling in the Little Rockies where the fire is burning.

He said showers will likely drop another few hundredths today.

“Any little bit of rain helps,” he added.

And the weather has turned, which will help firefighting efforts, Hart said. The temperatures and wind speeds dropped Tuesday evening and the humidity is higher, which should continue today and Thursday. He said Thursday is predicted to be dry but have highs in the 50s or 60s in the region of the fire.

This morning’s post on the council website said fire crews continue to mop up and secure Pine Grove and the Lodge Pole community and crews are continuing to get equipment resources, which is aiding in fire suppression.

Crews are working with Fort Belknap cultural representatives in fire tactics regarding culturally important sites, the post said.

Tribal Council Member Warren Morin said in a post Tuesday evening a burnout operation took place and a bulldozer line was put in place around Pine Grove.

He said crews were working to enlarge the dozer line.

Morin said two structures have been confirmed lost but crews were able to save homes in the Carrywater Road area that were threatened.

“Thank you to all the heroes out there,” Morin said in the post. “Time for rest. Prayers for rain and special prayers for firefighters safety.”

Red Cross reports it has set up an emergency shelter in Hays for those evacuating because of the Pine Grove wildfire burning in the Hays-Lodgepole area.

The shelter is located at the Hays-Lodgepole High School, 163 Dora Helgelson Road in Hays.

Shelters also have been set in Hays-Lodge Pole High School, Lodge Pole Elementary School and in the National Guard Armory for Zortman evacuees.

Three roads have been closed, Monument Peak Road, Carrywater Road and Mission Canyon Road.

The post tells poeple to stay off the road for safety and to allow for emergency services to use the road. Emergency and evacuation travel only is allowed in the fire area.

This morning’s post thanked people for the help the firefighters have received.

“The firefighters want to commend the Fort Belknap government and Community for their quick response and thank the community for the food and support given,” it said.