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NEAR HELENA- The David Fire burning between Helena and Lincoln is now estimated at 2,050 acres and is 20% contained.

Over 220 fire personnel are working on the ground, while four helicopters fight the blaze by air.

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton has lifted the evacuation orders for the homes located along Stemple Pass Road to Highway 279 (Lincoln Road).
Current closures include:

- Continental Divide Trail (CDT) #440, from Flesher Pass south to the junction with Marsh Creek Road
- Marsh Creek Road (road #485)
- Crater Mountain Road (road #1825)
- Stemple Pass Road

At 8 pm on Friday, a type 2 incident management team will take over, bringing extensive resources and experience. Incident management teams are given a rank 1 to 5, with a #1 ranking representing a team that possesses the most skill and resources.

The Davis Fire burning northwest of Helena shrunk to about 2,000 acres over night.

Stemple Pass remains open to residents only and officials have scheduled a public meeting for area residents at 8:00 pm on Friday evening at Canyon Creek School to update them on the situation.

No injuries have been reported, and no structures or livestock have been lost, but grass lands have been destroyed.

Officials report that the Davis Fire is the number one priority fire in Montana, and number five in the nation.

(August 26, 2010) The Davis Fire burning just northwest of Helena on Stemple Pass is now estimated at 2,800 acres and is threatening almost two dozen homes.

On Thursday evening, fire officials held a town hall meeting to explain the situation. Forest Service Ranger Amber Kamps told the residents that when Forest Service officials began the prescribed burn on Wednesday, the weather was good.

Kamps said, "I can not tell you how sorry I am that we have to meet under these conditions. That you are having to go through this. I can't make it up to you. I can just tell you I am sorry and we will do the best we can from this point forward."

Over 65 people are working on the fire. They will slow down containment at midnight.

Officials have ordered 12 twenty-person hand crews for Friday, as well as five engines, six helicopters and several pieces of logging equipment.