The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest announced road closures and barrier deployments at six locations in the Little Belt Mountains starting August 1, as the Ant Park Fire continues to burn in the area and crews work to keep both the public and firefighters safe.
The Forest Service has not released a current acreage estimate in the public notice, but the scope of the closures — six separate road points — indicates the fire is affecting a meaningful stretch of forest access routes. The Little Belts are a popular destination for Helena residents hunting, fishing, and recreating, and the closures will affect access to those areas until the fire is controlled and the Forest Service determines roads are safe to reopen.
Residents planning trips into the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest should check for posted signage before heading out and follow all marked closures. The Forest Service asks that people not enter closed areas for any reason, including to photograph or observe the fire. Updates on active closures are posted on the forest's official channels.