Update: Stillwater County fire mostly contained after Sunday storms

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation issued what they said will be a likely final update on the Windmill fire following Sunday storms.

They said the blaze, located north of Reed Point, was 72% contained after it was started by an Aug. 19 lightning strike. The fire had spread to 4,253 acres as of Monday morning. 

DNRC reported containment lines held after thunderstorms passed through Stillwater County Sunday evening. Crews in the area were now mopping up the rest of the fire. Some crews and engines returned home or were assigned to other fires.

Crews will continue to mop up the fire until it is 100% contained, which DNRC expected to be accomplished by Monday's end. 

Evacuation notice issued as Windmill fire reaches nearly 4,000 acres

Update, 12:45 p.m., Aug. 21

Evacuation notices were issued Friday for those in the vicinity of a fire burning in Stillwater County. 

Authorities told those living in the vicinity of the Windmill fire, burning just a few miles north of Reed Point, to leave immediately. The announcement came around noon Friday. The area under an evacuation order spanned a length of land between Columbus and Reed Point, on the north side of Interstate 90.

As of Friday, 100 people were assigned to fighting the Windmill fire, which is being fueled by burning in grass, juniper, sagebrush and timber in the region. Crews estimated that the fire has torched nearly 4,000 acres.

Going into the weekend, the weather is expected to be hot and dry through most of Saturday, with winds gusting up to 45 mph, but a chance for thunderstorms and pockets of heavy rain. 

Fire near Reed Point grows to 3,655 acres

Update, 5 p.m., Aug. 20

In an update Thursday afternoon, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reported that the Windmill fire had grown to 3,655 acres.

The DNRC reported that fire behavior is “moderate” with erratic winds helping the blaze burn through grass and timber. Helicopters and large air tankers are helping provide aerial support as crews work along the fire edge to slow the spread.

Stillwater County Department of Emergency Resources has told area residents to be prepared to evacuate if needed.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Crews battling 1,000-acre fire in Stillwater County

Update, 11 a.m., Aug. 20

A fire burning in Stillwater County has torched several hundred acres and prompted the shutdown of a wind farm.

As of Thursday morning, the Windmill fire had burned through an estimated 800 to 1,000 acres, according to the latest statement from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Crews were still working to contain the blaze, located about eight miles north of Reed Point along Interstate 90.

Efforts to suppress the blaze, burning near a wind farm, includes federal, state and county resources, along with volunteers. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Crews were alerted to the fire Wednesday afternoon, according to DNRC, with grass, juniper and timber fueling the flames. By Wednesday evening, 20 engines, five tenders, two dozers, three graders, two helicopters and four tankers were committed to the fire. On Thursday, Molt Volunteer Fire Department uploaded multiple photos of firefighters skirting the blaze and tankers dumping fire retardant. No injuries have been reported.

So far this year, wildfires have burned through about 118,500 acres in Montana. Human activity has been responsible for about 60% of those fires. To the west, crews continued to make progress in containing the state’s largest active wildfires burning in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires have torched a combined 40,000 acres, according to a Thursday update, with nearly 800 people assigned to the fires, including hotshot crews.

Last year was exceptionally mild regarding wildfires in Montana, ending with just over 75,000 acres burned.