(UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.) A Saturday night update from the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest now estimates the Yogo Fire at 500 acres.
The fire had reached Prospect Ridge and was producing spot fires on the east side of the ridge. Pre-evacuation orders were still being issued by the Judith Basin County Sheriff's Office. Fire officials urged those in the area to exercise caution.
“We are urging all hunters and hikers to avoid the area,” said Judith Musselshell District Ranger Ron Wiseman in a news release. “Please continue to follow the Judith County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information and anticipate road and trail closures to be coming soon.”
We will update you as we learn more.
(1st REPORT, 8:02 p.m.) A wildfire burned around 300 acres in the Little Belt Mountains on Saturday about 1.5 miles south of Yogo Peak, according to a news release from Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest.
As of 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, the fire had reached Prospect Ridge and is spreading to the west and south. The fire is in the Judith Musselshell Ranger District. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
The Judith Basin County Sheriff's Office (JBCSO) is working to issue "pre-evacuation notices to residences in the Middle Fork of the Judith River," according to officials with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. MTN News reached out to the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest to clarify what those "pre-evacuation notices" entail. We were referred to the sheriff's office and have reached out to JBCSO for comment.
A type 2 helicopter and an air tanker were used to fight the fire on Saturday, the release says. A Type III incident commander was slated to be on scene Saturday evening to manage the resources, including two helicopters, to the fire.
Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest also cautioned that the communities of Stanford, Hobson, and White Sulphur Springs may encounter smoke.
“We are urging all hunters and hikers to avoid the area,” said Judith Musselshell District Ranger Ron B. Wiseman in a separate news release. “Please continue to follow the Judith County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information and anticipate road and trail closures to be coming soon.”
Chiara Cipriano, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest public affairs officer, told MTN News on Saturday evening that more information about road and closure trails will be released on Sunday.
"We are anticipating that there will be trail and road closures, so we encourage visitors to visit ourwebsite and Facebook pages," Cipriano said.
We will update you when we learn more.
