Update 5:45 p.m. 08/30/2022 - On Tuesday, fire agencies were able to quickly knock down a wildland fire located near the intersection of Birdseye Road and Echo Drive.
A garage was damaged by the fire but Birdseye Fire Chief Kyle Sturgill-Simon say they were able to prevent it from being destroyed in the fire. The total area burned was .76 acres.
Birdseye Fire Chief Kyle Sturgill-Simon said the fire was contained to two backyards and was quickly suppressed thanks to the efforts of multiple responding agencies including Baxendale, West Valley, East Valley, Eastgate, and DNRC and the Lewis and Clark Sheriff's Office.
Sturgill-Simon wants to remind folks to take a look at their own property to help mitigate fires.
"During the summer when we have heightened fire risk, it's a good time to look around their own properties. See if there's anything that's getting close to their decks and if they have any fire hazards that they could take care of now because we're usually busy when there's a fire going on and it's a whole lot better when we've come to a property in the rush is already been cleared," noted Sturgill-Simon.
The fire chief added that items like firewood, construction materials and anything else that could potentially burn be moved away from a structure.
"We really appreciate it when people take care of that during the heightened fire season,” said Sturgill-Simon.
Editor's note: This article initially indicated a garage was destroyed by the fire based on info from first responders, however, Birdseye Fire Chief Kyle Sturgill-Simon told MTN they were able to save the structure.
Original story - A wildland fire has been reported near the Birdseye area west of Helena.
The fire was first reported just before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday near Echo Drive.
Fire west of Helena. Appears one structure is involved, neighbors say there were two buildings behind the home.
— Sam Hoyle (@srhoyleKTVH) August 30, 2022
Multiple agencies responding including helicopter.
If taking Birdseye Road west of Helena, please SLOW DOWN. pic.twitter.com/uTOw3r5h1c
Multiple fire agencies are responding to fight the fire, including aerial attacks making water drops. The area is under traffic control while there is a heavy firefighter presence.
At this time it is unclear the estimated size of the fire, or what may have been the cause of ignition.
Editor's note: This is a developing story that will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.
