Rain, cooler weather helping with Pine Grove Fire

Firefighters have gained at least a temporary respite in efforts to contain the Pine Grove Fire in the Little Rocky Mountains, although the incident command warns that could change very quickly.

Rain, cooler temperatures, lower wind and higher humidity has allowed firefighters to slow the spread of the fire, and people evacuated from Zortman and the Pine Grove community have been allowed to return home, though they and other communities still are on alert.

The update on the InciWeb page for the fire said minimal fire behavior was seen Thursday due to heavy precipitation received Wednesday and overnight. Overcast and high humidity should keep fire behavior low until Monday. Firefighters will be going direct on all divisions, weather permitting.

The fire is not expected to spread from existing perimeter; cool and overcast days predicted through Sunday.

The post said the conditions could stay helpful in the near future, with cold fronts moving through bringing moisture to all parts of the fire. The forecast looks for moisture to continue until the weekend.

But the post warns that, once drying begins, fire behavior in timbered areas will increase significantly due to dry, large amounts of fuels.

Residents of Zorrtman, Pine Grove and Starhill were told that they may return to their homes but are requested to be ready to evacuate if fire conditions deteriorate.

 The evacuation centers in Hays and Malta have closed.

People also were asked to remember that fire crews are working and to be careful when returning to the area.

Evacuation warnings remian in place for Pine Grove, the Zortman/Landusky area, Starhill, Hays 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. 

The fire started Monday three miles northeast of Hays from a structure and spread into the wildland. 

The InciWeb page said the fire is human-caused and the cause is under investigation.

By late Tuesday morning wind pushed it to more than 10,000 acres and triggered mandatory evacuation notices for the communities of Pine Grove, Zortman and Starhill and Level 2 evacuation notices were put in effect for the communities of Hays and Lodge Pole.  

During this initial period, the fire destroyed one structure, where the fire started. Structure assessments are on going.

The fire moved through grass, timber, and brush on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and Bureau of Land Management land.

Due to the complexity of the incident, a Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire Thursday.

Firefighters from Fort Belknap and other cooperating agencies performed initial attack on the fire, working hard to save structures and ensure people were safe. Primary spread was to the south-southwest towards the mines. 

The Fort Belknap Indian Community declared a state of emergency Aug. 18.

The incident team was briefed to follow and implement the guidance outlined in the Fort Belknap Indian Community COVID-19 Reopening Plan. specifically, social distancing measures are encouraged and wearing of masks are required while indoors.

The team was briefed to Place high priority on protecting communities, ranches, individual properties, cultural,  and natural resources.

Fort Belknap Tribe is accepting donations to support those impacted by the fire. Please drop supplies at the Kills at Night Center in Hays. Contact Maggie Werk with questions at 406-301-4583.