July Fire reaches nearly 1,700 acres

The 'July Fire' has come within a quarter mile of Zortman, according to the most recent update from BLM Public Information Officer Jonathan Moor and since starting on Monday, has burned approximately 1,669 acres and there is no containment at this early phase of the extended attack.

Moor's report, sent out at 9 p.m. last night, states that 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. Yesterday's annual Fourth of July Parade was canceled yesterday morning and though the community potluck was held, the rest of day's celebrations were canceled. The Fourth of July Event in Zortman celebrated 40 years last year and rumor has it that the event may be rescheduled for later this summer (the fundraising was to benefit the Zortman Volunteer Fire Department as well as restoration work on the Historic Jail.) Moor reported that the Phillips County Sheriff's Office and BLM employees are in the area to assist with evacuations if the situation should become that dire. The fire is burning in mixed timber, mainly on BLM-managed lands.

The Us National Weather Service Glasgow's office released a report on Tuesday stating that June was the driest on record for six location across Montana, Zortman being one of the six. The normal average precipitation in Zortman for the month June is 3.32 inches, but last month the town of 69 residents received just 1.27 inches of precipitation (Port of Morgon in Phillips County also set an all-time low with just 0.19 inches of precip compared to the 2.71 inches that location normally receives.)

The high temperatures in Phillips County are predicted to hit the 100's this week and double-digit winds helped carry the July Fire away from Zortman, according to Moor. About 136 Wildland Firefights are battling the blaze. Crews responded 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. A Heavy Air Tanker, multiple Single Engine Air Tankers, 4 Helicopters, 10 Engines, 2 Water Tenders and 3 bulldozers are being used in the effort. More resources were ordered to the fire including a Type-2 Incident Management Team.

The fire is under the command of Incident Commander Josh Barta, from the Bureau of Land Management North Central Montana District. The fire was reported near the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, though early speculation by locals believe it was started by a cigarette but or perhaps and ATV (though these claims have not been substantiated.)

To report wildfires, call 911 or the Lewistown Interagency Dispatch Center at (406) 538-1072.