Single Publication

Grouse Fire Update

Incident Commander:  J. Willoughby, J. Hansen (T)
Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT
Start Date: 7/25/2024 
Cause: Undetermined
Size: estimated at 185 acres 
Resources on Site:  2 type 2 hand crews; 5 engines; 2 helicopters available to assist
Total Personnel:  60

KEY MESSAGES: 
The fire is burning in the upper end of Grouse Creek off the Pioneer Scenic Byway on the Wisdom Ranger District. Fire behavior has been extreme, with torching and short upslope runs in heavy timber. Fire managers are urging people to stay out of the fire area for safety reasons.

Fire managers and agency officials are discussing necessary area, road, and trail closures. Ensuring public and firefighter safety and protecting life and property are of the utmost importance.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
The fire is moving primarily up the Grouse Creek drainage and sub-drainages. Both flanks or sides of the fire are moving actively, with fire backing downhill towards Pettengill Creek and spotting to the north towards Grouse Creek.

Firefighters are assessing structures from the junction of Pettengill Road and along the Pioneer Scenic Byway to the north. They will be scouting for opportunities for firefighting operations, utilizing both natural and manmade control features. Crews will be working to improve and bolster fuel breaks previously constructed during the Alder Creek Fire of 2021. Firefighters will be installing water-handling equipment (pumps, hoses, and sprinklers) around structures in the Pettengill Creek area. 
 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
The fire is burning mainly in a subalpine fir fuel model, in heavy timber on steep rocky terrain. Available fuels are unseasonably dry and include large amounts of standing dead and down trees. Fire behavior has been very active and extreme, including individual and group tree torching on all flanks and spotting. Dead fuels along the ridges at the highest elevations are consuming completely. If winds align with terrain, in combination with the dry fuels, extreme fire behavior with active movement can be expected. These conditions pose additional hazards to firefighters, limiting access and affecting on-the-ground progress.

Weather on Monday trends warmer with increased wind in the afternoon, elevating fire weather concerns. The next change for precipitation will be Tuesday, with chances for showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. High temperatures will be in the 80s, with breezy conditions and gusts to 30 mph. Widespread haze will persist.