Horse Gulch Fire FAQs

Evacuations are in effect and roads are closed in the following areas:

• North and south of Canyon Ferry Road between Jimtown Road to the Broadwater County line.
• Jimtown Road
• Cave Gulch
• Water Dance
• Magpie
• Hellgate & Confederate Campgrounds.
• York Road up to and including Vigilante Campground.

Area closures are in effect for the Helena – Lewis & Clark National Forest.  Call the Helena Ranger District at 406-449-5490 for specific information.

Evacuations and road closures will be in place until there is no longer a threat to those locations. As soon as roads are reopened, the public will be notified. 

When fire conditions allow, we can escort you to your property to retrieve life sustaining materials only. If the fire becomes unstable, we will suspend this practice until the area is safer.

The roads are closed and evacuations are in place to protect lives.  Brief evacuation re-entry opportunities may be possible depending upon conditions.  The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office will be coordinating possible re-entries when they become available.

I Need to go in now…my RV is worth $1 million…all my family photos are there… I’ll only be there for a minute…etc…

While we understand your concerns and all you have at risk, the protection of human life is the top priority, and it is unsafe for the public at this time.  Responders are doing all they can to protect all that is at risk while fighting fire under very difficult circumstances.

No, once you leave, you will not be allowed back in until the evacuation orders have been lifted.  

A Red Cross shelter is open at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church located at 3580 North Benton Avenue in Helena.

We have no reports of lost structures at this time.

While there are no public resources to accommodate livestock, we are gathering a list of members of the public that have space for livestock. The list will be included on the Horse Gulch Fire webpage

When conditions allow, we can escort you to your property to retrieve life sustaining materials. This practice will be suspended when the fire is too dangerous.

There is a temporary flight restriction in effect to allow air attack fire planes and helicopters to safely operate over the fire area. Every time a drone or other unauthorized aircraft enters that restricted air space, air attack fire response is suspended. 

Help us fight the fire by keeping your drones and other aircraft out of the area. Thank you.