Responders manage Billings Heights wildfire, urge fire safety

BILLINGS — A large wildfire, dubbed the “Bo Fire,” broke out Saturday afternoon in Billings Heights, north of Alkali Creek Road, prompting firefighters to respond quickly and stress the importance of fire safety ahead of the Fourth of July.

As of Sunday, there were no active flames but the area continued to be monitored.

Starting around 12:30 p.m., the fire has grown to 250.68 acres and is 21 percent contained, according to MT Fire Info. Alkali Creek Road from the intersection of Skyway Drive to Warfield Park and the Inner Belt Loop (Skyway Drive) were closed but have since reopened. No evacuations to the area have been ordered.

“We got an alert through an app called I Am Responding that there was a fire there. We looked at the wind and said, ‘There’s a good chance this is going to get bigger,’” said Annemarie Overcast, Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator.

According to Melissa Ellis, training manager at the site, they were lucky to have been hit by the fire at that time.

“It started on Alkali Creek Road and went to the new Skyway Road. We stopped it before, so that was good. We mapped it this morning at 250 acres,” Ellis said.

Recent high winds have made the fire unpredictable and difficult to manage, threatening many area homes, a pipeline, a fuel tank and several power lines.

“The fire was very intense at that point. There were probably 15 to 20 mph winds pushing it. The fields here are covered in ponderosa pine and understory grasses that look green but are very dry,” said Dustin Sciacca, the county’s fire operations advisor. “There’s a lot of dead fuel on the ground.”

Multiple crews, including Yellowstone County firefighters, volunteer groups, Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services, and Montana DNRC, responded to the rescue to ensure no homes burned. At this time, they have not determined the cause of the fire.

“We're still looking at that, but our priority right now is to make sure the progress is moving forward and the fire stays within the perimeter,” Sciacca said.

All three respondents stressed the importance of staying safe during the upcoming holidays and avoiding another potential wildfire.

“The burn permit system is off until July 8. That’s because we have dry conditions, high winds and limited resources. We haven’t had a lot of fires in the area. So we want our firefighters to focus on those fires and reduce the risk of new fires starting accidentally,” Overcast said.

“Have fun, party, you know, but be smart. Make sure you have a clear area if you’re lighting fireworks. If you’re having campfires, make sure you have a tool and water to put them out,” Sciacca added. “Enjoy the weather but respect nature.”