Firefighting pilot dies in crash as fire spreads to over 600 acres

A firefighting plane crash near Helena claimed the life of its pilot, a 45-year-old woman, on Wednesday afternoon. The crash occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. in the Hauser Lake area of the Missouri River, just below the dam. The plane was engaged in firefighting efforts for the Horse Gulch Fire and was in the process of scooping water. The pilot, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was the sole occupant of the plane. Search teams recovered her body later that day.

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton confirmed the involvement of the U.S. Forest Service in contracting the plane and stated that both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been informed and will spearhead the investigation into the crash.

The Horse Gulch Fire, which was reported around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, is located approximately five miles south of York and two miles north of Canyon Ferry. By Wednesday afternoon, the fire had consumed around 600 acres. Approximately 100 personnel have been deployed to combat the blaze.

At 3:30 p.m., mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents in the Cave Gulch and Magpie Gulch areas. Despite the fire’s spread, there have been no reported injuries or structural damages directly attributed to the flames. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although it is suspected to be human-caused.

In response to the evacuations, the American Red Cross announced the opening of a temporary evacuation center at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, located at 3580 North Benton Street in Helena. The center, operational from 6 p.m., will provide evacuees with water, snacks, and updated information. All services offered by the Red Cross are free of charge.