Pre-evacuation notices have been given to residents in the Middle Fork of the Judith River in Judith Basin County as a fire burns 1.5 miles south of Yogo Peak in the Little Belt Mountains.
The Yogo Fire was reported Saturday afternoon on the Judith Musselshell Ranger District, according to the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
“We are urging all hunters and hikers to avoid the area,” said Judith Musselshell District Ranger Ron B. Wiseman. “Please continue to follow the Judith County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information and anticipate road and trail closures to be coming soon.”
The Yogo Fire is estimated to be over 500 acres and has burned to Prospect Ridge and is spotting fires on the east side of the ridge.
The communities of Stanford, Hobson and White Sulphur Springs may see and smell smoke.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
A critical fire weather warning is in effect from noon through 9 p.m. Sunday through much of North Central and Central Montana, according to the National Weather Service.