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: 3,500 acres 

Resources on Site: 3 hotshot crews; 5 type 2 hand crews; 10 engines; 2 skidgens; 1 dozer

Total Personnel:  288

KEY MESSAGES: 

Heavy equipment will be working along the Scenic Byway. Continue to slow down, drive 35 miles MPH and yield to firefighting equipment, engines and vehicles. Although precipitation occurred over the fire yesterday, fire activity and smoke will be visible in the area. The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains OPEN. 

Current Status/PLANNED ACTIONS:  

Active fire behavior was observed in the subdrainage to the south of Stine Creek with short runs and group torching. Hotshot crews completed a critical piece of handline along the north east flank and tied in with natural features near Grouse Lakes. High winds are affecting suppression efforts on the northeast portion of the fire. Heavy equipment began fuels reduction work to protect infrastructure from the Harriet Lou Road to the south on the Scenic Byway. 

Crews will continue to hold and secure established control lines on the fire perimeter around structures. Heavy equipment will continue to construct a fuel break from the Harriet Lou Road progressing to the south. Crews and air resources will look for opportunities to keep the fire along the ridge south of the main Stine Creek drainage.  

Weather and Fire Behavior:

On Tuesday, wind gusts, low relative humidities and thunderstorms were present in the fire area. Wednesday is calling for more thunderstorms developing in the afternoon with gusts up to 35 miles per hour. Active fire behavior is expected with smoke visible in the fire area. 

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.