Evacuation Orders Lifted for North Hills Fire, Public Areas Reopen

County leaders announced on December 4 that the last evacuation orders tied to the North Hills Fire were lifted at noon, allowing residents and visitors to return to parts of the burn area. The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office said roads to public areas including White Sandy Campground and Black Sandy State Park would reopen, but officials urged extreme caution and asked travelers to be alert for firefighters and fire equipment still working in the area.

Officials warned people not to enter the burn area because of hazards remaining on the landscape. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service closures remained in place, limiting access to federal lands adjacent to the reopened recreation sites. The administrative step to lift evacuation orders brings routine life closer to normal for people who were displaced, though restrictions and risks continue.

The North Hills Fire began on Friday, July 26 and ultimately burned more than 4,700 acres. The cause remains under investigation, with officials suspecting human involvement. Local authorities emphasized that the investigation and recovery work are ongoing, and that reopening public roads does not mean the incident is fully resolved.

Restoring access to campgrounds and state park facilities offers relief for households, small businesses and outdoor recreation providers that felt the economic and social effects of the fire. Residents returning to the area should expect crews and heavy equipment to be present, and should avoid recently burned terrain where unstable trees, hot spots and other dangers can pose immediate threats.

Sheriff Leo Dutton thanked staff and the mutual aid partners who provided support during the fire operation, acknowledging the cooperative response that helped protect homes and public lands. County leaders said they will continue monitoring conditions and coordinating with federal land managers as recovery, safety assessments and the cause investigation proceed.