Escaped prescribed burn torches 208 acres near Nevada Lake

Nevada Lake Fire
Southwestern Land Office
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Fire Protection – Clearwater Unit
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Nevada Lake Wildlife Management Area
Fire Information: Kristin Mortenson (406) 381-7451, Kristin.Mortenson@mt.gov
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtmts-nevada-lake-fire
Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 8:30 am
Location: 8 miles east of Helmville, MT, 0.5 miles north of Nevada Lake
Start Date: 10/14/2024
Cause: Escaped Prescribed Burn
Size: 208 acres
Containment: 0%
124 Total Personnel; 11 Engines; 2 Helicopters; 3 Hand Crews; 5 Heavy Equipment
CURRENT STATUS
The Nevada Lake Fire is currently 208 acres and actively burning in open grass and heavy timber on the Fish,
Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Nevada Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and private land east of Helmville,
Montana. The wildfire is the result of a FWP escaped prescribed burn ignited on Monday, October 14, north of
Nevada Lake on the WMA. The burn was declared a wildfire at approximately 4 p.m. when attempts to control
areas where the prescribed fire escaped containment lines were unsuccessful. The DNRC is managing the
wildfire response.
On Tuesday, October 15, an air attack platform, four Type 2 helicopters and seven Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT)
retardant drops were utilized to establish a safe aviation environment and help check the fire’s growth. Ground
resources completed fire perimeter construction on private property with a combination of hand and equipment
line. Hand and equipment line was also initiated on the fire perimeter on the FWP property.
Today, ground resources will focus on extending and securing control line around the perimeter of the fire as well
as mopping up the fire’s interior while helicopters drop water on hot spots.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
There is a 40-60% chance of wetting rains on the fire today as a cold front passes through, with less chance of
wetting rain in the valleys. Daytime temperatures will be 10-15 degrees cooler than yesterday with higher
minimum relative humidities. Westerly winds will increase up to 25 mph towards the evening. Cool and showery
conditions will continue Thursday with snow level around 4,000 feet.
EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
There are no evacuations or closures, but the public is asked to avoid the area. Area residents should be vigilant
and remain prepared. For updates, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtmts-nevada-lakefire and monitor the Powell County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
For tips on being prepared for wildfire, please visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org/pages/preparedness.