BLM Cites Person Suspected of Starting Helena-Area Fire

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has filed two citations against the person believed responsible for starting a wildfire north of Helena that burned nearly 8 square miles (20 square kilometers) of forestland and led to evacuation orders for 400 residences.

The Independent Record reports the citations were filed Thursday but the agency declined to name the suspect. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton has said the fire was started on July 26 by someone illegally shooting an exploding target on an informal gun range on BLM land.

The citations for causing a fire other than a campfire and for burning timber, trees, slash and brush outside of a campfire carry fines up to $500.

Any effort to recoup firefighting costs would be handled separately. BLM field manager Scott Haight says they’re still tallying the cost.

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Information from: Independent Record, http://www.helenair.com