Single Publication

Incident Commander:  R. Griffin, C. Olander, (T)
Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT
Start Date: 7/25/2024 
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 1,400 acres 
Resources on Site:  4 type 2 IA crews; 2 hotshot crews; 8 engines; 1 skidgen; and 3 helicopters available
Total Personnel:  268

KEY MESSAGES: 
A Community Meeting will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 at the Wise River Community Foundation Building at 6:00 p.m. MDT. An Area/Road/Trail Closure is in effect for the vicinity of the fire perimeter on the west side of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.

The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains OPEN. Those recreating or traveling in the fire area are encouraged to be aware of the situation and to pay attention to increased fire traffic. If traveling in the area please slow down, drive 35 MPH, and yield to firefighting equipment, engines, and vehicles.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
Once the morning smoke lifted yesterday, reconnaissance flights assisted in estimating a more accurate fire size.  
A four-person squad from the Flathead Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) is scouting for opportunities for a more direct (closer to the fire’s active edge) approach on the north flank of the fire by Stine Mountain.
Active fire behavior continues, with torching, flanking, and spotting. Smoke is still visible throughout the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and Wise River vicinity. Crews continue firing operations to safely bring the fire down to  Forest Road 186 (Pettengill Rd). Once these firing operations are complete, crews will secure and “mop-up” all residual heat along the edges, working from the southeast side of the fire and progressing east towards the residences near Pettengill Road.
As hot, dry and increased temperatures persist, firefighters continue working with structure protection equipment (pumps, hoses, and sprinklers) near residences in the Pettengill Creek area. On the eastern edge of the fire perimeter, crews are using existing and improved control features (such as prepped firelines) to prevent fire spread to the north and east, to suppress spot fires, and extinguish hot spots to protect private property along Pettengill Creek. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Critical fire weather is expected today, with continued hot and breezy conditions. With low pressure moving in, isolated thunderstorms may develop Saturday afternoon. Active fire behavior is expected to continue with movement primarily up the Grouse Creek drainage and sub-drainages.

Active fire movement on all flanks is expected, with spotting and fire backing downhill towards Pettengill Creek and to the north towards Grouse Creek and the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. 
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 may pose additional hazards to firefighters.

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 3 feet of the device.