Update 10:15 p.m. - The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) provided an update on the Rock Creek Fire Saturday night.
DNRC along with partners from the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest, MDOT, MT Highway patrol, Lewis and Clark county Sherriff office, and Lewis and Clark County, and County Mutual Aid from many volunteer fire departments are working to contain the Rock Creek Fire located north of Helena, MT near Mile Marker 1 on Highway 287.
The Rock Creek Fire is estimated to be about 500 acres and is currently growing.
DNRC is in command of the fire and has prioritized response efforts and suppression resources to the fire, including an air tanker, two helicopters, a helitack crew, and multiple fire engines. Firefighters continue to prioritize suppressing the fire as quickly as possible while protecting values at risk such as infrastructure, private property, and natural resources.
The Red Cross has established a shelter in Great Falls at New Hope Lutheran Church, 3125 5th Ave S. Please call the Red Cross at 800-272-6668 and ask for Shellie Creveling to make arrangements. If you cannot make it to Great Falls and need assistance in Helena, please call the same number and they can assist you.
Update 8:46 p.m. - Montana DNRC is estimating the fire to be around 500 acres at this point.
Air tankers and helicopters could be seen making drops on the fire Saturday evening.
Original Story - A wildfire has erupted between Craig and Wolf Creek according to Captain Kevin Wright with the Lewis and Clark Sheriff's Office.
The fire is burning between Craig and the Augusta turnoff, in the area of mile marker 232.
I-15 has been closed between Craig and Wolf Creek. Northbound traffic is being diverted to Montana Highway 434 and southbound traffic is being turned around.
Law enforcement from multiple agencies are evacuating homes in the immediate area, and anyone that feels that their home is in the path of the fire should prepare to evacuate.
At this point, there is no word estimate on the size or cause of the fire.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.
