700-acre wildfire burns in Blaine County

A 700-acre fire is burning in southern Blaine County on Bureau of Land Management-managed land in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

A release from BLM says the now-named Black Butte Fire is about 20 miles west of Landusky, burning timber grass and sagebrush, but is in a remote area of the monument and no structures are at risk for the moment.

The wildfire was reported Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. when smoke was spotted in the Ervin Ridge area of the monument, the release said, and BLM’s North Central Montana District wildland firefighters responded, and state BLM assumed command of fire operations Wednesday.

The release says the fire is being fought with fire engines, helicopters and airtankers along with 70 personnel from BLM, the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation working together.

“Recreationists are advised to stay clear of the area and do not operate unmanned aircraft-drones-in the vicinity,” the release said. “Please, do not engage in any activity that could obstruct active fire operations and increase risk to firefighters.”

The release also advised recreationalists to remember to check the current fire restrictions before doing activities in an area.

DNRC Interactive Fire Map lists the fire as 0 percent contained as of 4:13 p.m. Wednesday.