DNRC responds to 3 new wildfires in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson counties

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation firefighters responded to three new wildfires Friday afternoon in Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties.

The Rattlesnake fire, west of Interstate 15 near the Gates of the Mountains exit north of Helena, started Friday afternoon. It had burned approximately 46 acres as of Saturday morning. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Officials said drivers should expect delays near the Gates of the Mountains exit.

Another wildfire in the county also started Friday northeast of Craig. Called the Ordway fire by officials, it was approximately 180 acres in size as of Saturday morning. The cause of the fire is also under investigation.

The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders Friday that remain in place Saturday after the fire grew overnight.

The evacuation order is in effect for areas south of Beaver Slide Loop, including Arrow Drive, Ordway Road and Little Bear Lane. Road closures are also in place at North Fork Road, the junction of Charbonneau Drive and Frazier Road and at both ends of Beaver Slide Loop.

The Golconda fire southeast of Jefferson City and along Tizer Lake Road had burned just under 6 acres as of Friday evening and was 0% contained. Its cause is under investigation as well.

The DNRC says it is in command on all three fires and air resources, along with county, state and federal firefighters, were responding to all three fires.