Single Publication

Video Update: https://fb.watch/tt3DYADrwg/ 

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 

Sunday, July 21, 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: 19,982   McGhee: 19,223   Prairie: 6,540   Four Mile: 2,082  

Completion/Containment:   Deadman: 35%   McGhee:44%   Prairie: 100%   Four Mile: 100%   

KEY MESSAGE  

The team and its assigned resources currently have initial attack responsibilities within a specified area around the four larger fires. Yesterday morning, initial attack resources responded to a new fire on the edge of the protection area. The new start was located one mile northwest of Kirby. A quick response from multiple local agencies, several engines, a dozer, a water tender and the Flathead Hotshot crew caught the fire as it burned up a slope in a stand of thick ponderosa pine. They kept the fire to approximately six acres.  

On the McGhee Fire, firefighters began intensively mopping up the south edge. They also worked on identifying and mapping dozer lines for potential rehabilitation needs. The western edge of the Deadman Fire along the Tongue River still has unburned pockets of juniper trees, and access is difficult. Fire managers had hoped to burn out these pockets, but yesterday’s weather was not conducive to further burnout operations.   

CURRENT STATUS 

Firefighters will continue mopping up the northwest edge of the Deadman Fire along Tongue River Road, as well as the south and north boundaries of the McGhee Fire, where residual heat remains. Repair and rehabilitation of the dozer line on the southwest side of Deadman will begin, and areas of McGhee will also move into the repair and rehabilitation phase. Areas for suppression repair actions are being scouted and mapped on the Prairie and Four Mile Fires. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area, and initial attack resources assigned to these fires will help with any new starts within the TFR. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 89 F and 26 percent relative humidity. Winds will generally be from the north, with gusts to 15 mph. Unburned islands of pine and juniper trees still exist in the interior of the McGhee Fire. When these areas ignite, they have the potential for spotting up to 1/4 mile, which will readily sustain spread.   

SMOKE 

Smoke from Canada and other fires will impact the area. For the current smoke reports, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/  

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 

Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place in Bighorn County. Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for current Montana fire restrictions information. The Big Horn County Sheriff has lifted its evacuation warning for the Four Mile Fire and Tongue River Reservoir area. The Rosebud County Sheriff has lifted the evacuation warning for the area north of the McGhee Fire.