Single Publication

Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT 

Start Date: 7/25/2024  

Cause: Undetermined 

Size: 4,166 acres  

Containment: 22% 

Resources on Site: 15 engines 

Total Personnel:  119 

KEY MESSAGES 

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three will transfer command of the fire to a Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Type 4 Incident commander at 6:00 p.m. tonight. “Rocky Mountain Team Three was able to build on the strong work started by the Type 3 team before our arrival. We worked closely with the home unit, who provided strong leader’s intent. They identified the critical values at risk that allowed us to focus our work in specific areas. If in the future the fire should want to move, firefighters will have a safe and good line to hold the fire on. We are very thankful for the members of the community of Wise River. They treated us very graciously and made us feel at home,” said Bill Waln, Rocky Mountain Team Three Incident Commander. 

A burned landscape presents several safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. These hazards include unstable soils that allow rocks to dislodge and roll down steep hillsides; fire-weakened trees and snags that can fall over or large limbs breaking away in windy conditions; and stump holes where fire has burned through a tree root system and created cavities that can collapse under your feet. Always remember to be aware of your surroundings and aware of the hazards in a burned area. 

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 

It will be slightly cooler with temperatures ranging from the low 60s to mid 70s. Southwest winds will be 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. There’s a 30 percent chance for thunderstorms that could bring 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.