Single Publication

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.

The smoke visible on Wednesday was mostly white. While it indicates there is still a lot of heat within the fire perimeter, the fire is now burning the available fuel within the perimeter more completely and exhibiting signs of little growth. It remains estimated at 65 acres with zero containment. 

The Lewis and Clark Hotshots are among the 85 or so people assigned to the Black Mountain Fire. You could see their handiwork along an ATV trail on the southern edge of the fire, where they used saws to brush out an area as they begin to establish a containment line. Not to be outdone were the heavy equipment operators. Feller bunchers are taking down larger trees, with other rigs hauling it a safe distance from the fire line.

Residents who had been evacuated are back in their homes, but remain under a warning as a precaution. A forest closure is now in place in order to facilitate firefighting efforts and keep the public out of harm’s way.

Area residents and visitors need to be aware of increased emergency vehicle traffic on area roads and highways.

Information will be updated on the Helena-Lewis and Clark Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HLCNF and on InciWeb at 
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mthlf-black-mountain