Single Publication

Incident Commander:  Bill Waln, Incident Commander 

Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT

Start Date: 7/25/2024 

Cause: Undetermined

Size: 4,149 acres 

Containment: 5%

Resources on Site: 3 hotshot crews; 4 type 2 hand crews; 11 engines; 2 skidgens; 1 dozer

Total Personnel:  294

KEY MESSAGES: 

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three (RM CIMT3) assumed command of the Grouse Fire this morning at 6:00 a.m. While the fire has been showing minimal smoke over the last day, the fire will become more active as the weather warms in the coming weeks. Expect more smoke to be visible as temperatures rise. 

Firefighting personnel are working to remove trees and other flammable materials to create a shaded fuel break along the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway. This will help reduce the fire’s ability to spread rapidly. While the scenic byway remains open, intermittent delays and one lane of traffic with heavy equipment is expected. Please continue to slow down, obey the posted speed limit signs, and yield to firefighting equipment, engines and vehicles. Fire activity and smoke will be visible in the area.

Current Status/PLANNED ACTIONS:  

Minimal fire behavior was observed across the fire yesterday, with isolated torching on the interior of the fire and creeping along the fire’s western perimeter. Moderate fire behavior is expected today.

Today, the structure protection crew will continue fuels reduction work around the homes on the Harriet Lou Road to the south on the Scenic Byway. This crew will continue assessing structures and further establishing a structure protection plan for this fire. Crews will continue to secure control lines in the Reservoir Creek drainage by constructing and strengthening fuel breaks to the north of Reservoir Creek trail, tying into scree fields (rocky slopes) above the fire’s perimeter. On the southern perimeter of the fire, crews will work to strengthen the line along Pattengail Creek trail. Fire managers will continue to work to keep the fire along the ridge south of the main Stine Creek drainage.   

Weather and Fire Behavior:

On Thursday, the weather was humid and cloudy across the fire for most of the day. Today, mild temperatures and gusty westerly winds are expected across the fire area. There is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening and a 50 percent chance of tomorrow. Moderate 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.