(UPDATE, 10:55 p.m.) — The Ridgetop Fire has now reportedly burned at least 4,500 acres, according to the incident report website Inciweb last updated by the Montana DNRC on Friday night.
Nearly 100 people 95 personnel from local and county fire departments, Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are assigned to the fire. It includes two 20-person hand crews, several wildland fire engines, and a helicopter.
Firefighters are reporting extreme fire behavior. Saturday’s forecast for hot, windy conditions and a chance of evening thunderstorms could result in significant additional growth of the fire.
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(1st report) A wildfire in Petroleum County is now over 3,500 acres.
The Ridgetop Fire is burning 35 miles north of Winnett and south of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.
As of Friday afternoon, the fire was 3,700 acres in size and burning in short grass, brush, and timber. The fire is burning on Bureau of Land Management land.
The blaze was first reported around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 1 and 100 personnel are now assigned to fight it.
BLM reported the fire may have been started by lightning.
No structures are threatened at this time and no evacuations or area closures are in place.
You can visit InciWeb for more information about the Ridgetop Fire.
