HELENA — Fire officials say a containment line is now fully established around the entire perimeter of the Hilger Valley Fire near Gates of the Mountains. Updated information on Thursday say the fire has burned around 295 acres and is considered 40 percent contained.
Firefighters are continuing mop-up operations to locate and extinguish remaining heat sources. Officials say high humidity and intermittent moisture helped moderate fire behavior.
(Watch crews battle the Hilger Valley Fire)
One hundred and eighty-seven total personnel were assigned to the fire Thursday, including 11 engines, two helicopters, four hand crews, two dozers, three tenders and a skidgen.
The Hilger Valley Fire was first discovered by local and DNRC engines on Monday, June 9 at 2:10 p.m. The fire is burning 20 miles north of Helena, near Gates of the Mountains on Interstate 15.
The fire is believed to have been human-caused.
