Mount Helena trails reopen after wildfire prompts closure

Helena, Mont. — The Mount Helena trail system reopened after a fast-moving wildfire temporarily closed the area.

Conditions have calmed down and people are back out on the trails.

However, the scene looked much different the afternoon before, when the area closed and firefighters worked to contain a small wildfire.

Officials with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation confirmed they still could not say what caused the fire. They said crews arrived at Mount Helena around 3:30 p.m. to begin the initial attack.

The fire grew to less than an acre. DNRC crews focused on keeping it small and suppressed while also protecting firefighters and the public.

The agency said the work in Helena carried extra importance because of how quickly smaller fires can grow.

"With these smaller fires it’s really important for us to get on top of it so they don’t get out of control. So that is our big priority. Especially being in the Helena area is making sure that we are a resource," said Hannah Sullivan, Montana DNRC Central Land Office community preparedness and wildfire prevention specialist and PIO.

As the Fourth of July gets closer, DNRC reminded people that fireworks are prohibited on state and local lands. The agency also pointed people to wildfire season preparedness resources on its website.