MTN is tracking several new wildfire starts located north of Helena on the way to Great Falls. Firefighters from multiple agencies and air resources are working both fires.
The Ordway Fire is burning roughly 2.5 miles northeast of Craig. The fire has burned an estimated 70 acres as of 5:45 p.m. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton has told MTN he is headed up to the fire to evaluate if evacuations need to be ordered.
The Rattlesnake Fire is burning just north of the Gates of the Mountains exit, and was estimated around 40 acres as of 5:45 p.m. Due to limited visibility from the smoke, I-15 northbound lanes were closed earlier in the day, with traffic stretching back more than a mile from the Gates of the Mountain Exit. As of 5:00 p.m., traffic has slowly resumed and is being led through the area with a pilot vehicle.
Editor's note: This is a developing situation. MTN has reporters on the scene and will provide updates as they become available.
