Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

06/05/2026

Last Thursday staff and partners joined together for a ribbon cutting at Falls Creek Campground to celebrate this new developed site on the forest. Thanks to the hard work of our recreation and engineering staff, and the partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the site now features five fully accessible campsites, day use parking, two stock corrals, river access and opens access to 25,000 acres of public land and trails on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.

Tomorrow is ! Where will you be getting out to this weekend? Check out our website for inspiration in planning your trip or download the new Forest Service app: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/maps/mobile-app

06/05/2026

We are thrilled to announce the lineup for this year’s FREE Summer Walk Series!

Our partner organizations have planned a variety of engaging walks that explore the landscapes, history, wildlife, and stories that shape our community. These experiences offer a chance to deepen your connection to the places we all enjoy while learning how we can work together to steward and protect them for future generations.

Registration for each walk opens two weeks prior to the event date. To view walk locations, learn more about each program, and register, visit: https://www.register-ed.com/programs/montana/241-summer-walk-series

We hope you'll join us for another season of learning, exploration, and connection on our public lands!

Prickly Pear Land TrustHelena Field SchoolMontana Fish, Wildlife & ParksMontana Department of Environmental QualityMontana Discovery FoundationHolter Museum of ArtMontana Historical SocietyLCCo Water Quality Protection DistrictLewis and Clark Conservation DistrictHelena-Lewis and Clark National ForestHelena Parks and RecreationExplorationWorks

06/04/2026

The Helena Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management jointly received a proposed plan for mineral exploration activities from Falcon Copper Corporation.

The proposed Plan for the Blue Copper Project includes exploration drilling operations and geophysical surveys. The intent of the proposed exploration effort is to better define the extent and characteristics of mineral occurrences within the project area. Locatable minerals of primary interest include copper, gold, silver, tungsten, germanium, and gallium.

Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/projects/303864 to learn more about this project and how to comment.

06/03/2026

05/28/2026

🔥Wildfire and Initial Attack Update 5/28🔥

🔥Jericho Creek- Helena Ranger District. The fire remains at approximately 2,068 acres and is 41% contained.

Fire behavior has moderated and crews continue to work on securing containment lines. Some smoke will be visible as pockets of heavy fuels inside the perimeter continue to burn.

A cooler weather pattern with rain will move into the area this weekend and fire behavior is expected to be minimal.

Resources assigned to the fire include one hotshot crew, one dozer, two masticators, one excavator, one water tender, two Type 6 engines, two suppression modules, and a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) module.

Fire vehicle traffic will continue to be present on Telegraph and Hahn Creek roads. The public is asked to avoid this area as well as the Continental Divide area south of MacDonald Pass to Minnehaha/Bryon Creek Road.

Fire information can also be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/mthlf-jericho-creek.

🔥Moose-Helena Ranger District. This .10 acre lightning caused fire was discovered this morning and is contained.

🔥Copper Creek Fire-Lincoln Ranger District. This .10 acre lightning caused fire was discovered on 5/27 and is contained.

🔥Keep Cool Fire-Lincoln Ranger District. This one acre lightning caused fire was discovered on 5/27. A helicopter was used yesterday for water drops and today crews are working on saw line and hand line around the fire perimeter.

05/26/2026

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at several existing and new recreation sites on the forest.

Revenue collected through recreation fees would help the forest improve infrastructure at recreation sites and fund additional upkeep, maintenance and recreation staff during the season of operation. Recreation fees help provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable recreation program for future generations.

Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/newsroom/releases/proposed-changes-recreation-fees-helena-lewis-and-clark to learn more.

05/26/2026

🔥Wildfire Update 5/26🔥

🔥Jericho Creek- Helena Ranger District. The fire is approximately 2,068 acres and is 31% contained.

Yesterday the fire experienced gusty outflow winds from passing thunderstorms. All containment lines held and the fire did not experience any growth.

Today, crews will continue to work on securing containment lines. Smoke will continue to be visible in the area as heavy fuels inside the fire perimeter continue to burn.

Increased chances of precipitation are forecasted through the week that will help moderate fire activity.

Resources assigned to the fire include one hotshot crew, one dozer, two masticators, one excavator, one skidgine, one water tender, two Type 6 engines, two suppression modules, and a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) module.

Fire vehicle traffic will be heavy on Telegraph and Hahn Creek roads this week and the public is asked to avoid this area as well as the Continental Divide area south of MacDonald Pass to Minnehaha/Bryon Creek Road.

Fire information can also be found here https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/mthlf-jericho-creek.

05/25/2026

🔥Wildfire Update 5/25🔥

🔥Jericho Creek- Helena Ranger District. The fire is approximately 2,068 acres and is 31% contained.

Strategic firing operations conducted yesterday were successful in bringing the fire to containment lines. Today, resources will continue to secure containment lines and patrol the fire area. Fire activity within the fire perimeter area is expected to increase and smoke will continue to be visible through the week.

An increased chance of precipitation is forecasted throughout the week that will help to moderate fire activity and keep the fire within containment lines.

Resources assigned to the fire include two hotshot crews, one dozer, two masticators, one excavator, one skidgine, one water tender, two engines, three suppression modules, and a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) module.

Fire vehicle traffic will be heavy on Telegraph and Hahn Creek roads this week and the public is asked to avoid this area as well as the Continental Divide area south of MacDonald Pass to Minnehaha/Bryon Creek Road.

Fire information can also be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/mthlf-jericho-creek.

05/24/2026

🔥Wildfire Update 5/24🔥

🔥Jericho Creek- Helena Ranger District. The fire remains at approximately 1,000 acres.

Strategic firing operations are planned to occur on the fire today, as crews continue the process of burning fuels between the uncontrolled fire edge and constructed indirect control lines. Depending on conditions, firing operations may continue into tomorrow.

Smoke will be visible from Highway 12, northern Jefferson County, and the Helena area.

Resources assigned to the fire include two hotshot crews, one dozer, two masticators, one excavator, one skidgine, one water tender, two engines, three suppression modules, and a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) module.

No closures are in effect, but the public is asked to avoid the fire area and the Continental Divide area south of MacDonald Pass to Minnehaha/Bryon Creek Road.

FIre information can also be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/mthlf-jericho-creek.

05/22/2026

Is there a tool that can help the forest thrive and reduce risk of catastrophic fire and vulnerability of tree stands to insect and disease?

Last month fire personnel from the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District were joined by staff from across the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest to conduct 861 acres of prescribed burning in the Snowy Mountains, just north of Roundup.

This work helps restore forest resiliency and reduces hazardous fuels build up for private landowners in Golden Valley and Fergus counties. To complete this burn in just a few days, they utilized drones to efficiently bring fire to remote areas of the interior targeting strategic ignition points.

Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/features/igniting-future-technology-prescribed-fire to learn more about how fire managers are using drones to advance prescribed fire objectives on the forest.