Single Publication

Video Update: https://fb.watch/tmSME7uVku/ 

Deadman, McGhee, Prairie, and Four Mile Fires 

Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office 

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 

Fire Information 406-924-3831  2024.Deadman@firenet.gov 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtmts-deadman-fire www.facebook.com/RosebudCountyDisasterAndEmergencyServices 

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 

Northern Rockies Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens  

Location:  South of Birney, Montana and north of Tongue River Reservoir in Rosebud and Big Horn Counties 

Start Date: 7/12 and 7/13/2024 

Cause: Lightning    

Size:   Deadman: 18,927   McGhee: 3,553   Prairie: 6,540   Four Mile: 2,082  

Completion/Containment:   Deadman: 20%   McGhee: 10%   Prairie: 50%   Four Mile: 1%   

KEY MESSAGE: Fire managers assessed the fires yesterday, and containment numbers have gone up. Where the fires are contained, there is cold black line around the edges and a very low probability that the fire will cross fire lines. They will continue to assess the fires today and these numbers will likely increase. Yesterday, fire managers took a reconnaissance flight and confirmed the Hackley and Prairie fires had burned together, reaching an estimated combined 6,540 acres. This fire will now be referred to as the Prairie Fire.  

CURRENT STATUS: The most active fire is McGhee, pushing east and north towards Birney on Sunday night. On Monday, crews conducted successful burnouts along the north side and will continue strengthening those lines today. South of Pyramid Butte on the east, the fire made a big push towards Hanging Woman Creek Monday afternoon. A grader improved lines along the eastern side while crews did burnout operations, supported by Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) with retardant drops. An overnight shift worked to hold and improve the lines. Fire managers are assessing and implementing a strategy to tie together the eastern and southern lines. The Deadman Fire remains active on the west side, backing towards the Tongue River. While the terrain makes it difficult to access, crews will look for opportunities to use an Unmanned Aerial System (drone) to conduct burnout operations to bring the fire down to and hold it on the river. On the Four Mile Fire, firefighters are cooling the remaining hot spots and patrolling the edges. The Prairie Fire is showing little heat and is being monitored. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: The weather remains hot and dry for the foreseeable future. Another cold front today brings slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity. However, as this front passes, a ridge of high pressure will build, bringing hotter temperatures and lower humidity.   

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES: In Big Horn County, an evacuation warning is in place for residents from the intersection of Dale Creek Road and East Fork Canyon Road, east to the county line; from the intersection of Dale Creek Road and East Fork Canyon Road south to the intersection of Birney Road and Highway 314; from the intersection of Highway 314 and Birney Road east to the county line. In Rosebud County, an evacuation warning is in place for residents along the Tongue River Road from the Tongue River Bridge at Wall Creek to the southern Rosebud County line. Look for specific closure information and maps on the Rosebud and Big Horn County Sheriff Facebook pages.    

An evacuation warning means people should be aware of and monitor the situation closely, being prepared to evacuate if needed as the status could change quickly.