Fire Update; 11 a.m. Friday, July 9
Cooler temperatures and negligible winds are helping fire crews currently battling two wild fires burning in the Little Belt Mountains south of Great Falls. However, Friday's forecast includes a significant chance that afternoon thunderstorms will develop in the area, bringing the challenges posed by lightening strikes and gusty winds.
Balsinger Fire
The Balsinger Fire saw only moderate growth overnight. An update Friday morning now places the fire's size at 50 acres.
The Balsinger Fire started near the South Pilgrim Trailhead, off Divide Road and northeast of Neihart.
On Thursday afternoon the Cascade County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for the west side of the Belt Park subdivision to Highway 89 and all of the Deer Creek Estates subdivision. Forest Service Rd 839 Divide Road is closed from the east side of Taylor Hills Trailhead to Forest Service Rd 6511 Belt Park Connector.