July Fire reaches 2,100 acres

Editor's Note: Submitted at 2300, July 5, 2017, by BLM

On Wednesday, strong winds increased fire activity on the southwest edge of the July Fire, while steering the fire away from the small towns of Zortman and Landusky, and the Little Rockies Christian Camp south of Landusky.

The last known acreage was 1,669 Independence Day evening 4. However, the fire grew in size overnight and throughout the day July 5. An update on size was not available at the time of this release. The gusty northwest winds combined with hot, dry conditions to produce a dramatic smoke column as the fire expanded to the west.

The fire is burning in mixed timber and on grassy plains, mainly on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There is no containment of the fire, which was reported near the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation around 4:30 p.m., Monday.

Additional firefighters and equipment arrived throughout the day on Wednesday, reinforcing more than 136 already on the scene. The fire control effort continues to make heavy use of firefighting aircraft, engines, and bulldozers.

As the numbers of firefighters increased, a Type 2 Incident Management Team spent the day preparing to take command of the growing firefight at 6 a.m. Thursday, July 6.

The team will lead the efforts of crews from the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources, Phillips County and a number of volunteer fire departments.

No mandatory evacuations have been ordered at this time. However, law enforcement officers from the Phillips County Sheriff's Office and BLM are in the vicinity to assist with evacuations, if they become necessary.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. To report wildfires, call 911 or the Lewistown Interagency Dispatch Center at (406) 538-1072.