Single Publication

Incident Commander:  Bill Waln, Incident Commander  

Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT 

Start Date: 7/25/2024  

Cause: Undetermined 

Size: 4,166 acres  

Containment: 22% 

Resources on Site: 1 Type 2 hand crew; 5 engines 

Total Personnel:  161 

KEY MESSAGE  

Firefighters successfully contained the Grouse Fire along the south edge and prevented it from spreading into homes and properties in the Pettengill area. 

Structure protection crews put in place point protection infrastructure; pumps, hoses, and sprinklers to protect structures and other identified values at risk. Once the point protection was no longer needed, they removed the equipment in sections, packaged it up on pallets, and labeled each with layout instructions for easy redeployment. They assessed structures in the Pettengill area and moved north to assess structures along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, Wise River, and along the Hwy 43 corridor. They took the data from their assessments and created a structure protection package for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, Beaverhead County Department of Emergency Services, and the local fire chief.  

Firefighters created fuel breaks along the Pettengill Creek and Reservoir Creek trails, and shaded fuel breaks along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. All are indirect firelines that provide firefighters a defensible line that is accessible and has the highest probability of success to stop fire spread. 

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS 

Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol the fire along the Pettengill Road and Pettengill Creek trail. Crews will continue cleanup and log trucks will continue hauling logs from the shaded fuel breaks along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.   

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Temperatures today will range from the high 60s to high 70s. Southwest winds at 8-12 mph with gusts up to 16 mph. There is a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms between 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. with wind gusts up to 40 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.