MacDonald Pass fire fully contained Play Video
Posted: Sep 25, 2009 7:10 PM
Updated: Sep 30, 2009 8:20 AM
Hard working fire crews have made a significant impact on the MacDonald Pass Fire in recent days, and the fire is now considered to be fully contained.
Over 300 people are working on the fire and after some overnight rain, any additional suppression efforts will be determined on Wednesday morning.
Some resources started demobilizing from the fire on Tuesday night and fire officials say that process will continue on Wednesday.
The fire was human caused and burned approximately 170 acres.
Despite the containment, open burning is still prohibited in Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties.
(from September 28, 2009)
The MacDonald Pass fire southwest of Helena has burned about 230 acres since starting on Friday, and it is estimated to be 15% contained.
There are over 200 people actively battling the blaze, and additional resources arrived yesterday and officials reported "measurable progress."
Lewis and Clark County officials again asked residents to avoid Highway 12 West due to fire suppression activities and traffic. Protection for the City of Helena water treatment facility and water collection infrastructure plant is still a high priority.
Clausen Road remains closed to everyone except residents, and residents of Rimini and Colorado Gulch are asked to be alert to fire activity.
Law enforcement officials urge travelers to avoid Highway 12 West due to the firefighting activity.
A high priority is protecting the City of Helena water treatment facility and water collection infrastructure plant. The human-caused fire started last Friday.
A new fire information hotline for the MacDonald Pass Fire has been established at 406-443-3155. You can also monitor the MacDonald Pass fire via the Inciweb site by clicking here.
(Monday morning update) Helena area residents can breathe a little easier as officials report that the MacDonald Pass Fire is smaller than previously thought.
Fire crews were able to better map the fire on Saturday and now estimate it at about 130 to 200 acres burned. While Clausen Road is still closed to everyone but residents, officials say that evacuations appear unlikely at this time.
A main concern for crews is that the fire line burning near Highway 12 West. The road is open but traffic is slowed and firefighters are hoping to prevent the fire from jumping the road since there are power lines and infrastructure on the other side.
Nearly 160 people are fighting the fire which is said to be 15% contained. Officials say that the cooler, wetter weather that is expected later this week could help control the blaze.
(from September 27, 2009) The MacDonald Pass fire burning southwest of Helena has scorched over 300 acres, and officials report that there is still a potential for further "significant" fire activity.
Evacuations are still in effect for the immediate area of Claussen Road at the base of MacDonald Pass. In addition, Rimini and Colorado Gulch residents have been alerted to the potential for an evacuation warning.
Although fire officials feared that strong winds on Saturday would trigger significant growth of the blaze, the predicted increase did not occur, at least at the level officials had feared. The cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Saturday night were hoped to aid in suppression measures.
More firefighting equipment has been ordered, including five engines and five additional hand crews. A Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team has been ordered to assume management of the fire.
Approximately 200 area residents attended a public meeting at the Baxendale Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday evening; another meeting will be held on Sunday evening night at the same location at 7:00 p.m.
Lewis & Clark County officials cautioned residents to avoid Highway 12 West if possible to avoid creating traffic hazards. Protection of the City of Helena water treatment plant is a high priority, and the City water collection infrastructure.
(Saturday evening) The Helena County Commissioners declared a state of emergency after the MacDonald Pass Fire continued to burn overnight. The fire has burned an estimated 290 acres of National Forest Service land, most of which was pine-beetle killed trees. Approximately 130 people are working to extinguish the fire using helicopters, air tankers and fire trucks.
Officials have not closed Highway 12 but are urging motorists to avoid traveling through the pass. The Public Information Officer reports the gusty winds, dead trees and terrain are making this a hard day to fight fires.
Officials are hosting a public meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Baxendale Fire Hall on Highway 12 West. For more information please call the fire hotline at 406-447-1605
(Friday evening)
A human-caused fire has forced evacuations near MacDonald Pass, west of Helena.
The fire is estimated at 50 acres and is burning in beetle-killed lodgepole forest. One residence has been evacuated on Claussen Road. The fire started on the south side of Highway 12 near the Continental Divide trailhead.
According to John Grassy of the MT Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, the terrain is too steep for ground equipment, and three helicopters have ceased operations for the night. Two Type II and two Type I teams have been called in to work the fire and a total of 11 fire engines are on scene.
Highway 12 is still open at this point, but officials are urging travelers to continue driving through the fire area. People who stop and watch the fire fighting efforts are creating a traffic hazard. If you need information on evacuations or road closures you're urged to call 447-1605.
The investigation into the exact cause of fire is underway.
Here is an image from the MT DOT MacDonald Pass webcam taken at approximately 6:30 p.m.:
