Two Human-Caused Wildfires Ignite North of Helena, Prompt Evacuations

The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation order for residents near the Ordway Fire on the evening of March 20, forcing people from properties south of Beaver Slide Loop, including Arrow Drive, Ordway Road, and Little Bear Lane, as the human-caused blaze northeast of Craig grew to 185 acres with 50% containment.

Sheriff Leo Dutton had earlier told reporters he was heading to the fire to evaluate whether evacuations were necessary. By 7:40 p.m., the order was in place. Road closures accompanied the evacuation, blocking North Fork Road, the junction of Charbonneau Drive and Frazier Road, and both ends of Beaver Slide Loop. Residents who chose to leave were advised to take medications and necessary medical equipment with them; those who remained inside the evacuation zone were required to stay on their own property and would not be permitted to return once they left until the order was lifted.

Nine engines, one tender, one Type 1 helicopter, and two hand crews worked the Ordway Fire, with line construction around the perimeter estimated to be complete by March 22, according to KRTV reporting. The fire's cause was identified as an escaped debris burn.

A second fire, the Rattlesnake Fire, burned west of I-15 near the Gates of the Mountains exit. It reached 47 acres before crews established a perimeter line. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reported 80% containment, with four engines on scene conducting mop-up operations. Burning stumps in the fire's interior continued generating smoke visible from the interstate. DNRC asked the public not to call 911 about the Rattlesnake Fire, noting personnel were already on scene.

Smoke from the Rattlesnake Fire earlier forced the closure of I-15 northbound, backing up traffic more than a mile from the Gates of the Mountains exit. By 5:00 p.m., vehicles were moving again, guided through the affected stretch by pilot cars from the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office and Montana Highway Patrol. Drivers were urged to reduce speed and watch for emergency vehicles. Southbound lanes also experienced delays due to fire personnel and flames near the roadway.

Both fires ignited March 20 along the I-15 corridor between Helena and Great Falls, both attributed to escaped debris burns. Winds were expected to continue overnight, with fire conditions scheduled for reassessment on Saturday.