Fire Watch

Corral Fire nearing 90% containment

Posted: Jun 30, 2012 6:27 PM by MT DNRC

Fire officials expect the Corral Fire in the Helena Valley to be 90% contained by Saturday night.

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton says that the 1,851-acre fire started on Monday when an ember from a controlled burn that had been dormant for two days reignited and burned a plastic wheelbarrow, and then sparked an all-terrain vehicle, spreading from there.

Residents who lost homes, outbuildings, or other property in the fire may contact Farm Bureau Insurance, 442-0456, to submit claims.

Anyone who lost a home, outbuilding, or other property in the fire may contact the state Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance for help with the claim process, 444-2040.

Photo above is courtesy of Amber Daley. Click here to see more viewer photos.

Here is the information from the MT Department of Natural Resources & Conservation:

Total Personnel: 56

Resources on fire: 2 20-person hand crews; 5 engines, 1 tender, 1 skidgeon

Today's Activities: Crews continued to search out and douse hot spots and were busy along Copper Rose Road on the east perimeter, where they found a fair number of "smokes." On the west side, crews continued mop-up in very rough, steep terrain.

Tomorrow's Activities: The same number of personnel and equipment will be on the fire, and work similar to above will continue.

Evacuations, other restrictions: All evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents are urged to remain in their homes and not attempt to drive or hike within the fire perimeter; non-residents will not be allowed to enter the area. All Bureau of Land Management lands are closed to public access.

Public Safety: The Montana DNRC today adopted Stage One fire restrictions on all state-owned and private forested lands in Lewis and Clark, Broadwater and Jefferson counties, effective at 6 p.m. this evening.