West Valley Fire Rescue

09/22/2026

Last week, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest successfully completed prescribed burning in the Grizzly Gulch area.

Even with the rain over the weekend, you may continue to see smoke and occasional flames within the burn area as fuels continue to burn out. Crews are monitoring the area throughout the day.

Please DO NOT call 911 for smoke or flames coming from inside the Grizzly Gulch burn area. This is expected fire activity, and crews are aware of it.

Call 911 only if you see fire or smoke that you are confident is OUTSIDE the established burn area and outside the black.

Smoke and occasional flames within the burn area may continue for some time as remaining fuels are consumed.

Please see the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest’s post below for information on additional prescribed fire projects planned for later this week.

Upcoming prescribed burns - Sept. 23-25, 2026

Fire personnel on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are looking at several opportunities to conduct prescribed burns this week:

🔥Lincoln Ranger District (Dalton Prescribed Burn): Fire personnel are looking to burn ~70 acres just south of Lincoln in two nearby units in the Dalton Mountain area. Work is planned to take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

🔥Helena Ranger District (Kelly Gulch and Beartrap Gulch prescribed burns): Fire personnel are looking at the opportunity to burn two units just east of York. The Kelly Gulch unit is 955 acres and currently planned for Thursday, Sept. 24, the Beartrap Gulch Unit is 820 acres and currently planned for this Friday, Sept. 25.

🔥Townsend Ranger District (Bonanza Ridge Prescribed Burn): Fire personnel are looking at the opportunity to burn ~500 acres on Bonanza Ridge, near the south end of the Elkhorn Mountains this Thursday and Friday (Sept. 24-25).

Maps available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mthlf-helenalewis-and-clark-nf-rx-fires

West Valley Fire Rescue
Lewis and Clark County / City of Helena 911 Center
City of Helena, Local Government
Montana DNRC
Jefferson County Montana Sheriff's Office
Lincoln Volunteer Fire Rescue

09/16/2026

Prescribed Fire Update

Yes, that is a very visible column of smoke behind Mount Helena today.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is moving forward with plans to burn approximately 500 acres in the Grizzly Gulch area today and tomorrow. Between 60 and 80 fire personnel are assisting with the prescribed burn, and smoke will be highly visible throughout the surrounding area.

Please avoid calling 911 to report smoke or fire associated with the prescribed burn. Keeping those phone lines open allows dispatchers to handle actual emergencies and get resources where they are needed.

The prescribed fire will be staffed and monitored throughout the operation.

09/15/2026

PRESCRIBED BURN NOTICE

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest will be conducting prescribed burning in the Grizzly Gulch area beginning Wednesday, with operations continuing Thursday and Friday.

Smoke and fire may be visible throughout the area. Forest Service fire personnel will be staffing the burn throughout the operation.

Please only call 911 if you are sure the smoke or fire you are seeing is NOT related to the prescribed burn.

Thank you for helping keep 911 available for emergencies.

09/11/2026

We remember… enough said

09/11/2026

Good Friday morning from West Valley Fire Rescue.

We wanted to let everyone know that debris burning will reopen beginning Saturday.

Conditions have improved enough to allow debris burning again, but that doesn’t mean the fire danger is gone. We still ask everyone to use caution and take a few extra minutes before lighting any fire.

Check the weather forecast before you burn, make sure your burn permit is activated, have water and tools nearby, and stay with your fire until it is completely out.

Conditions can change quickly, especially with wind, so if it doesn’t look like a good day to burn, please wait for another day.

A little preparation and common sense goes a long way toward keeping a debris burn from becoming a wildfire.

Have a safe weekend from all of us at West Valley Fire Rescue.

09/10/2026

08/26/2026

West Valley Tuesday Night Training

Another productive Tuesday night at West Valley Fire Rescue.

Crews spent time working on quick deployment of hose attack lines, focusing on getting water where it needs to be quickly and efficiently. We also spent time with some of our newer firefighters working on ground ladders, including proper setup, placement, and climbing techniques.

At the same time, another group was getting some valuable medical training in with Sim MT.

Fire, EMS, hose lines, ladders, and plenty of hands-on time made for an all-around good night of training. Every Tuesday is another opportunity to build skills, gain experience, and make sure our crews are ready when our community needs us.

08/19/2026

Tuesday Night Training at West Valley Fire Rescue

Last night, crews spent Tuesday training working through a simulated basement fire. When you don’t have a basement in your training building, you improvise—and put the ladder truck to work.

Crews worked on accessing and attacking the simulated fire, pulling and advancing hose, chainsaw operations, command functions, ladder truck operations, and most importantly, working together as a team on the fireground.

Training gives our members the opportunity to practice these skills, learn their roles, and work alongside the people they will depend on when the real call comes in.

We never know what the next emergency will bring, but nights like this help make sure that when you need us, West Valley Fire Rescue is trained, prepared, and ready to respond.

07/29/2026

Training Night at West Valley Fire Rescue

Training never stops.

Tonight’s focus was all about water supply operations, getting comfortable operating the ladder truck, and giving our drivers valuable time behind the wheel. These are the nights that build confidence and experience before they’re ever needed on an emergency scene.

Every hour spent training makes us a little more prepared to serve our community when the call comes.

A big thank you to all of our volunteers who continue to give up their evenings to learn, train, and improve their skills. Your dedication is what keeps West Valley Fire Rescue ready to respond, day or night.

07/05/2026

🇺🇸🚒 Happy 4th of July from West Valley Fire Rescue! 🚒🇺🇸

Both stations are staffed, the trucks are ready, and our crews are here if you need us.

Meanwhile, Chief Dave and Jen are out in the command making the rounds with West Valley stickers and firefighter rubber duckies for the kids because apparently the official mascot of community safety today is a tiny duck with a fire hat. 🐥🔥

If you see us driving around, give us a wave! We’d love to say hi and hand out a few goodies while supplies last.

Please celebrate safely, keep fireworks legal and responsible, watch the wind, soak your spent fireworks, and remember: the only thing we want lighting up tonight is the sky. 🎆
Stay safe, West Valley!