HELENA — Fire crews continue to make progress containing a large wildfire burning north of Helena.
On Friday morning, crews reported containment was up 15 percent over Thursday, reaching 65 percent and just over 5,000 acres burned.
According to Inciweb , mop-up activities will continue in the Big Sandy Loop area and crews are still widening the fireline "to secure the entire permiter of the fire."
On Thursday, the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office announced the last evacuation orders from the North Hills fire were lifted as crews gained control over the fire.
Officials are still asking people who plan on traveling into those areas to use extreme caution and to be alert for firefighters and fire equipment that continue to work in the area. They are also warning people not to enter the burn area as hazards could be present.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Jacob Fuhrer
