UPDATE 08/12/2018: The Forest Sevice has ordered more resources for a fire burning southeast of Lincoln.
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest said late Saturday night the fire was estimated at 15 acres.
Forest officials ordered a Hot Shot crew, heavy equipment, and a helicopter.
Firefighters will also investigate fire burning in the Big Belt mountains.
Cascade Volunteer Fire Chief Eric Tilleman confirmed that a fire has started in the Big Belt Mountains. The fire could possibly be in the Beartooth Game Range.
UPDATE 9:00 p.m.: A Bureau of Land Management ranger says a fire burning in the north valley hills his burning in timber on private land.
It is about a mile from the nearest residences off Glass Dr.
At this time there is no estimate on the fire’s size. Several engines and water tenders and a helicopter are working on the fire.
HELENA- At least two new fires are being reported in Central Montana following storms Saturday afternoon.
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest reports a fire that could be as large as 5 acres in size southeast of Lincoln. They also multiple other smoke reports in the Lincoln area.
Forest Officials said in a Facebook post that firefighters are hiking into the fire and that the area is receiving wetting rain.
There are no structures threatened and evacuations ordered.
Viewers are also reporting smoke in the hills north of the Helena Valley. We have a reporter gathering details on that fire. We are told fire crews are headed up glass drive. The MTN reporter on the scene said he briefly saw flames and can hear a helicopter working in the area.
It is unclear what started the fires, but several storms rolled through Lewis and Clark Co. late Saturday afternoon with lightning.
