Single Publication

Location: 8 miles east of Helmville, MT, 0.5 miles north of Nevada Lake

Start Date: 10/14/2024

Cause: Escaped Prescribed Burn   

Size: 207 acres

Containment: 0%

CURRENT STATUS

The Nevada Lake Fire is currently 207 acres and actively burning in open grass and heavy timber on the Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Nevada Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and private land east of Helmville, Montana. Current resources on scene include 11 engines, two dozers, two skidgines, one excavator, and two Type 2 helicopters plus helitack personnel. A Type 3 Incident Commander is enroute, as well as additional helicopters and a Type 2 hand crew. 

The wildfire is the result of a FWP escaped prescribed burn ignited on Monday, October 14, north of Nevada Lake on the WMA. The burn was declared a wildfire at approximately 4 p.m. when attempts to control areas where the prescribed fire escaped containment lines were unsuccessful. The DNRC is managing the wildfire response. Initial response efforts to the wildfire included 12 local government engines from four fire departments, four DNRC engines, and one USFS engine. A Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) dropped two loads of retardant to help slow its progress.

Today, firefighters will focus on protecting values at risk and halting the fire’s forward progress. Ground crews will work on establishing and securing containment lines around the fire’s perimeter, while helicopters drop water on hot spots. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Today will be warm and dry ahead of a cold front passing through Wednesday. The front will bring a chance of wetting rains but also an increase in southwest to westerly winds, which could elevate fire behavior. Cooler and showery conditions will continue Thursday, with a chance of snow at 4000 feet.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES

There are no evacuations or closures at this time, but the public is asked to avoid the area. Area residents should be vigilant and remain prepared. For updates, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtmts-nevada-lake-fireand monitor the Powell County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

For tips on being prepared for wildfire, please visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org/pages/preparedness.