With the temperatures reaching the upper 90s and humidity levels taking a tumble in Montana, it was only a matter of time before wildfires began to kick off.

The first substantial wildfire has been reported in Central Montana, encompassing over 1000 acres as of Thursday morning.

Horse Gulch Fire
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Active Wildfire In Montana

The Horse Gulch Fire was reported on Tuesday, July 9, around 1:30 PM.

The fire is roughly 5 miles south of York and about 2 miles north of Canyon Ferry.

As of the last report, no injuries or damage to buildings or structures have been reported.

However, a firefighting plane working on the fire crashed northeast of Helena around 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday in the Hauser Lake area of the Missouri River.

The plane was contracted to the U.S. Forest Service and was scooping water for the Horse Gulch Fire.

The 45-year-old female pilot, the sole occupant, died in the crash.

Search teams recovered her body Wednesday afternoon.

The FAA and NTSB will lead the investigation. 

Horse Gultch Wildfire Developments

Officials have not released the cause of this fire; however, they do believe that humans caused the wildfire.

Fire officials ask the public to avoid Cave Gulch and Jim Town so crews can work more efficiently.

Horse Gulch Fire Evacuations are on the Lewis and Clark County Facebook page.

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