DNRC working to contain Anderson Hill fire near Garnet Ghost Town

MISSOULA - The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is working to contain the Anderson Hill Fire located one mile southeast of Garnet Ghost Town in Granite, Powell, and Missoula Counties. Under Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) wildland fire protection, the Missoula Unit of the DNRC Southwestern Land Office responded and is employing full suppression strategies. There are values at risk-evacuation orders and warnings are being issued. Initially reported on July 15 at 10 acres, the fire grew quickly despite being met with aggressive initial attack from the air with air tankers and heavy helicopters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Extended attack now includes ground forces, heavy equipment, and numerous aircraft. A Type 3 Team will assume command Saturday morning. The fire is approximately 1,000 acres in size and is burning in thick timber with heavy dead and down fuels. The steep, rugged terrain and dense fuel adds to the incident's complexity.

Numerous resources are assigned and include one (1) type 2 hand crew, with one additional one responding, (1) dozer with an additional one responding, three (3) DNRC engines, miscellaneous overhead, and aerial support from two (2) Type II helicopters, two (2) heavy helicopters, three (3) large air tankers (LATs) and one (1) very large air tanker (VLAT). Additional resources are inbound.

The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed Garnet Ghost Town Historic Site and the surrounding area for public safety and to allow firefighters to conduct suppression activities. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued in Granite County and evacuation warnings are being issued in Missoula County. Road and trail closures are in place. For more information, please contact your local law enforcement agency. Residents are asked to avoid the area as much possible to allow fire response efforts to travel and conduct suppression operations unheeded. If driving through the area, please reduce speeds and be mindful of any posted signs restricting access or calling for alternate routes.

For continuing information on the fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7671/. Fire managers at the DNRC Southwestern Land Office will continue efforts to detect, confirm, and respond rapidly to all wildfires. For more information on fires across Montana, please visit the DNRC Fire Map: https://gis.dnrc.mt.gov/apps/firemap/.

Please note that Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place in Granite County and Stage 2 fire restrictions will be in place in Missoula County as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 17. Enjoy our Treasure State but please visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org/ for information on fire restrictions across Montana.