Single Publication

Incident Commander:  Bill Waln, Incident Commander  

Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT 

Start Date: 7/25/2024  

Cause: Undetermined 

Size: 4,157 acres  

Containment: 10% 

Resources on Site: 3 hotshot crews; 2 type 2 hand crews; 11 engines; 1 skidgens; 1 dozer 

Total Personnel:  339 

KEY MESSAGES:  

Firefighters made great progress on reinforcing firelines on the south edge of the fire near the Pettengill Road, and the fire is now 10 percent contained. All cutting is completed in the shaded fuel break operation along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. Firefighters will continue work to clean up limbs and other debris left from trees cut along the Byway. You can help keep our firefighters safe as they work along the road by reducing your driving speeds through this area. Be prepared for heavier traffic as dump trucks, log trucks, and other large equipment will be loading and hauling trees and debris out of the area. 

The lightning-caused fire start detected on Saturday showed no heat during yesterday’s infrared flight. Firefighters assigned to this fire will remain available for initial attack on any new starts detected near the fire.  

Current Status/PLANNED ACTIONS:   

Today, crews will continue to monitor the southern portion of the fire and will be working to extend the existing containment line along the Pettengill Creek and Reservoir Creek trails. Firefighters are close to finishing the removal of trees and vegetation to create a fuel break in the Reservoir Creek drainage. They will stay in a spike camp near this area to reduce travel and safety hazards posed by the steep and rough terrain. The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will fly over the northern portion of the fire today to map the terrain, types of fuels, and fire activity. The data will be used to create a complete 3-D map of the area, which will provide fire managers vital information of the area as they develop fire suppression plans. A remote camera will also be strategically placed so the area can be monitored remotely. 

The structure group is conducting structure assessments in the Wise River community and along the Hwy 43 corridor. When completed, the information will be added to previous assessments near the fire and along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway for a complete up-to-date structural data package for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Office of Emergency Management, and the local fire chief. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: 

The weather continues to get warmer and drier. West winds at 3-8 mph will occur in the slopes, valleys and the Wise River Drainage. The ridgetops will experience winds from the southwest between 8-12 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. 

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: 

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-grouse. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. 

The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within three feet of the device.