A motorcycle-versus-automobile collision on Lincoln Road just west of the Green Meadow Drive intersection sparked a four-acre grass fire Friday afternoon.

Crews quickly doused the fire, and the temporary closure of Lincoln Road from the intersection west to Lone Mountain Road was lifted at 4:50 p.m.

A 19-year-old Helena man, who was riding the motorcycle, was taken to St. Peter's Hospital for treatment. The man broke one leg and may have broken his other leg in the head-on collision, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Grimmis said. Responders also were checking to see if the man had suffered a neck injury. He was wearing a helmet.

Law enforcement officials did not immediately release his name, pending notification of family members.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Brian Inman said a Helena woman driving a late-1980s model Oldsmobile eastbound on Lincoln Road allegedly drifted over the center line and caused the crash.

She has not yet been cited for the incident, Inman said. The cause of the crash is believed to be "inattentive driving," he said. The woman, described as in her mid-30s, was not injured.

The bike's fuel tank and seat were separated from the motorcycle, and two tennis shoes rested on the roadway about 20 feet apart.

The force of the collision spun the car around and forced it into the ditch beside the westbound lane. A grass fire started at the car, and winds blew it eastward through high, dead grass at the northwest corner of the intersection.

Green Meadow Drive served as a fire break, giving crews added help in attacking the fire and protecting several buildings across the road, West Valley Volunteer Fire Chief Jerry Shepherd said.

The crash was reported at 3:23 p.m. and crews had the fire out 25 minutes after they arrived.

No structures were damaged and no firefighters were injured.

The Lewis and Clark County Volunteer Fire Department and the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation responded to the fire along with West Valley.

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com