Rain helps firefighting efforts at Pine Grove Fire in Little Rockies, evacuees can return

An update on the Pine Grove Fire in the Little Rocky Mountains said residents can return to their homes but still be ready to evacuate again in Pine Grove and Zortman.

The state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation county assist team was briefed at 6 a.m. today and took command of the incident management team, the update said.

Rain fell over the fire Wednesday, the updates said, and firefighters will take advantage of less-intense fire conditions today to construct line as close to the fire perimeter as possible to control future fire spread.

Crews continue to work with tribal cultural specialists to make sure that culturally important sites are protected.

Evacuations in Zortman and Pine Grove have been dropped to a warning condition, the update said. Residents may return to their homes but are requested to be in a Ready State to Evacuate if fire conditions deteriorate.

Evacuations warnings remain in effect for Starhill and Lodge Pole.

The Mission Canyon, White Cow Canyon and Coming Day roads and the roads going to Camp Creek Campground and Wiccum Cabin remain closed.