Update June 18, 3:30 p.m. — An evacuation warning has been issued by the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office for the residents of Rimini Road and all connecting roads south of Bear Gulch Road.
Residents are urged to take the following steps to prepare for a possible evacuation:
- Pack a “go bag” with essentials such as: Medications, Important documents, Phone chargers, Money/debit cards, Clothing and Personal Items
- Prepare your home and property
- Make arrangements for pets and livestock
- Be ready to leave if an evacuation order is issued
"The decision to issue the warning was based on predicted fire behavior and the limited access along Rimini Road, which is one way in and out," said Lewis and Clark County in a press release.
Residents needing more information about the evacuation warning should call 406-447-8235.
A community meeting will be held on Wednesday evening at the Rimini Fire Station located at 3290 Rimini Road.
The U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday also issued a closure for the area near Jericho Mountain:
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has issued a closure order for the Jericho Mountain fire to protect the safety of visitors and fire personnel and to support the effectiveness of suppression operations.
The closure area impacts a section of the Boulder Mountains approximately 17 miles southwest of Helena. The closure includes the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail between Macdonald Pass and Luttrell. Reroute directions are available on our website under “alerts.”
The north boundary of the area closure includes Vista Point on Macdonald Pass. Cromwell-Dixon Campground and Quigley Group Use Site remain open. The closure continues to the west of Rimini Road and includes the closure of Minnehaha Creek Road. The west side of the closure is defined by Forest Service Road 496 to the intersection with Little Blackfoot Road.
Original story — The Jericho Mountain Fire has grown to around 188 acres as of Wednesday morning and moved into the Minnehaha Creek drainage area.
Officials reported that a lightning strike was the official cause of the Jericho Mountain Fire.
(Watch crews fight the Jericho Mountain Fire)
As of Wednesday morning, 141 total personnel are assigned to the Jericho Mountain Fire. Firefighters are continuing to work to fully suppress the fire, although suppression efforts are complicated by the presence of heavy dead and down trees in steep and rugged terrain.
Crews and heavy equipment will continue to improve the holding lines to the west of Minnehaha Road, looking for opportunities for direct lines where possible, using existing roads, which will increase firefighter success at holding the fire.
Active fire behavior was observed Wednesday morning, including tree torching, and more active fire behavior is anticipated with the forecast. Fire officials are concerned about winds increasing in the afternoon to around 20 miles per hour.
As of Wednesday morning, the Jericho Mountain Fire is considered 0% contained.
