Single Publication

Incident Commander: Kyle Errecart (Type 4 IC), Tyler Baughman (Type 4 IC Trainee)
Location: 15 miles northeast of Wisdom, MT in the Sawlog Creek drainage
Start Date: 05/01/2025
Cause: Undetermined – under investigation
Size: 2,030 acres  
Resources Assigned: 1 crew; 2 engines; 1 helicopter; 1 water tender
Total Personnel: 89
Containment: 100%
 

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS:
The Type 3 Incident Management Team has transferred command of the Sawlog fire to a Type 4 organization, under the direction of Incident Commander Kyle Errecart. Most resources no longer needed have demobilized and returned to home units.

The remaining resources will patrol the perimeter when presented with an opportunity to safely enter the fire area, given the recent weather and muddy access conditions. The Incident Command Post (ICP) at the Wisdom Airport will likely be dismantled by the end of today.

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
The fire area received steady precipitation, including snow and rain, for most of yesterday. Measurable amounts of at least half an inch were reported in some locations. Today’s weather calls for cloudy and foggy conditions, with a 20% chance of precipitation. Temperatures will be in the 50s and relative humidity to 55%. Winds will be from the northwest at 5-15 mph, with gusts to 25 mph.

No smoke was visible on the fire yesterday. The fire burned mainly in sagebrush and Lodgepole pine timber. The north-facing slopes in the area consist of a high “dead and downed” fuel component in a mixed conifer forest, and numerous “snags” or hazard trees are present. Fuel conditions, during this time of year (pre-green up), are extremely dry.

CLOSURES:
For public safety reasons, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Wisdom Ranger District, has issued a road and trail closure in association with the Sawlog fire suppression operations. Included in the closure are National Forest System (NFS) Road #8242, NFS Trail #2180, and a portion of NFS Trail #2099.

Closures for Montana Fish, Wildfire and Parks (FWP) for the Fishtrap Creek Fishing Access Site on the Big Hole River and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the Sawlog dispersed camping site are still in place.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area has been lifted.

Updates to closures, including the specific closure language and corresponding maps, can be viewed on the Sawlog Fire Inciweb page, Closures tab.