Incidents All News

Active until 1:00 a.m. this morning, the Sawlog fire exhibited moderate fire behavior today with smoldering, creeping, and single tree torching. Increased cloud cover and considerably cooler temperatures were contributing factors; the fire area received some precipitation in the form of a light drizzle for about an hour. 

Incident Commander: Richard Griffin (Type 3 IC)Location: 15 miles northeast of Wisdom, MT in the Sawlog Creek drainageStart Date: 05/01/2025Cause: Undetermined – under investigationSize: 1,500 acres (estimate from a helicopter mapping operation)Resources on Site: 1 crew; 1 engine; 1 light helicopter. Additional resources enroute.Total Personnel: 51+ 

Conditions, including dry fuels and gusty winds, precluded firefighters from implementing any strategic firing operations today.Firefighters experienced extreme fire behavior, especially in the timbered areas with a heavy concentration of "dead and downed" trees. The fire progressed east across Sawlog Creek, toward the fire footprint from the 2021 Alder Fire. The fire footprint from the 2021 Christensen Fire lies to the south.

Incident Commander: Alex Graham (Type 4 IC)Location: 15 miles northeast of Wisdom, MT in the Sawlog Creek drainageStart Date: 05/01/2025Cause: Undetermined – under investigationSize: 383 acres (overnight infrared flight on May 2nd)Resources on Site: 1 crew; 1 engine; 1 light helicopterTotal Personnel: 51