Incidents All News

Northern Rockies Team 8 will transfer command of the Black Mountain Fire back to the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest on Saturday, August 10th at 6:00 AM. Robert Smith, a Type 3 Incident Commander will assume command of the fire with approximately 100 firefighters.

Current StatusFire Operations reported 30% containment yesterday evening as firefighters made progress over the past couple of days securing the fireline so that portions, such as the south end along the 819 trail, are reasonably expected to stop the fire from spreading further. Crews began mop-up operations, working their way from the fire edge and moving interior when conditions allow to extinguishing pockets of heat.

Current StatusCooler temperatures and light precipitation moderated fire activity today creating favorable conditions for firefighters as they further secure and improve fireline on the Black Mountain Fire. Crews are spread across the entire fire perimeter, patrolling and monitoring for areas of heat along firelines to ensure the direct and indirect lines are holding. Feller bunchers are reducing fuels along the Lincoln Ditch Road to create an additional holding line to protect private structures and land should the fire move further to the east and south.

Northern Rockies Team 8, a Type III Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Brad Bergman assumed command of the fire at 6:00 AM on August 2, 2024.

Northern Rockies Team 8, a Type III Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Brad Bergman assumed command of the fire at 6:00 AM on August 2, 2024.

While air tankers and helicopters offer a measure of excitement, it just takes a lot of hard, hot, dirty work by firefighters on the ground to construct fireline and suppress a fire.That goes for a fire of any size, including the Black Mountain Fire northwest of Lincoln, Mont., now reported as 76 acres. 

Sunshine and warmer temperatures returned Wednesday to the area of the Black Mountain Fire northwest of Lincoln, Mont. There was more smoke visible than there was Tuesday, which saw cooler and damper conditions. You can tell a lot about a wildfire from looking at the smoke it produces. Monday saw black smoke roiling above flames, the sign of a fire on the move and incompletely burning the available fuel in its path.

What a difference a day makes! Monday afternoon the Black Mountain Fire northwest of Lincoln, Mont., was actively burning and producing lots of angry black smoke.Tuesday the fire experienced much cooler temperatures, lighter winds, and intermittent light rainfall which dampened the fire behavior.

What a difference a day makes! Monday afternoon the Black Mountain Fire northwest of Lincoln, Mont., was actively burning and producing lots of angry black smoke.Tuesday the fire experienced much cooler temperatures, lighter winds, and intermittent light rainfall which dampened the fire behavior.

Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity Tuesday are all good news for the firefighters on the Black Mountain Fire.  The fire is located about six miles northwest of Lincoln, Mont. The fire exhibited little if any growth overnight and is still estimated at 65 acres.Retardant and water drops Monday helped limit fire spread. Three air tankers are on the ramp in Helena ready to rejoin the suppression efforts.The Bitterroot Hotshots arrived Monday night, and additional hand crews have been ordered.