Ant Park Fire - August 3
Photo courtesy of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest's Facebook page.

UPDATE: August 15, 2026 at 6:04 p.m. 

The Ant Park Fire near Lost Fork Ridge is burning around 400 acres, and is 53% contained.

UPDATE: August 9, 2026 at 10:57 a.m. 

The Ant Park Fire near Lost Fork Ridge is burning around 400 acres, according to Northern Rockies Team 8, and is 27% contained. 229 personnel are assigned to the fire. 

"Hot, dry and windy conditions persist, increasing the potential for fire activity and spot fires," incident command said. "Firefighters continue securing the perimeter, strengthening containment lines and checking for residual heat. Forest Service Road closures remain in effect to protect public safety and allow firefighters safe access to the fire area."

The following roads and areas are closed, according to incident command: 

  • Forest Road 6464 at the juncture with Higgins Park and J6467
  • Forest Road 837 intersection with Forest Service Road 487 (S Fork Deadman meets Memorial Park)
  • Road 487 heading north closed at the Junction of 487 and 829
  • Forest Road 47, Jamison Trail, at the Forest boundary
  • Silver Crest Parking area
Ant Park Fire August 4
Photo courtesy of Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

UPDATE: August 4, 2026 at 9:55 a.m.

A fire update from the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest said the Ant Park Fire had reached 387 acres and remained 0% contained.

The update said 61 personnel were assigned to the fire and road closures remained in place for public safety.

"Forest road closures remain in effect to protect public safety and allow firefighters and emergency vehicles to operate safely. Please respect all closures and barriers."

Crews kept working spot fires along the northeast edge while trying to keep the fire from spreading east.

Officials said warmer temperatures, lower humidity and stronger winds later this week could increase fire activity by the weekend.

 UPDATE: August 3, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.

The Ant Park Fire had grown to 700 acres by Aug. 3, 2026, with road closures still in place around the fire area for public safety.

According to a Facebook post from Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, the fire started on July 31, 2026 at 2:54 p.m. MST about seven miles southeast of Showdown Mountain Ski Area and 15 miles northeast of White Sulphur Springs. The post said the fire was 0% contained and the cause was still undetermined.

Officials said the closures were meant to keep the public out of active fire areas while crews and emergency vehicles moved through the area.

“Forest road closures remain in effect to protect public safety and allow firefighters and emergency vehicles to operate safely and efficiently. Please respect all closures and barriers,” officials said.

The Facebook post said higher humidity and lighter winds on Sunday helped keep fire activity down. Still, crews were dealing with new spot fires ahead of the main fire on the northwest side.

On the west side, the post said the footprint from the 2003 Ant Park Fire was helping slow the fire’s spread. Dozer crews and hand crews were strengthening fire lines there and clearing smaller vegetation that could carry flames upward.

Crews were also working on a medevac landing area on the south side of the fire. On the north and northwest edges, hotshot crews were building fire line farther out in front of the fire.

The post said firefighters were still trying to improve access to the east side. Heavy equipment was also working on new line on the south side and infrared flights had been requested to get a better look at the fire’s perimeter.

The forest said road closures and barriers were still up at four spots so crews could get in and out safely. Those closures included Forest Road 6464 at Higgins Park and J6467, Forest Road 837 at Forest Service Road 487, Road 487 north at the junction of 487 and 829 and Forest Road 47 at the forest boundary. 

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Mont. — Crews were working to contain the Ant Park Fire, which started on Friday and had grown to more than 400 acres.

The fire was burning 15 miles northeast of White Sulphur Springs in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Multiple crews were responding as they worked to build a strong perimeter.

Air tankers were also being used to support firefighters on the ground as dry conditions helped the fire spread quickly.

Updates will be posted as more information is available.