Single Publication

Video Update: https://fb.watch/tuhVavdJ6-/ 

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 

Monday, July 22, 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: 74%   McGhee: 52%   Prairie: 100%   Four Mile: 100%   

KEY MESSAGE  

Containment on both the Deadman and the McGhee Fire increased. Firefighters continued to secure structures along Hanging Woman Road and mopped up (cooled hot spots) along the south edge of the McGhee Fire north of the Lacey Gulch Road. A crew patrolled and mopped up hot spots along the Tongue River Road south of Birney. Dozer lines were mapped for potential rehabilitation needs on all four fires. Repair of known dozer lines began on the southwest corner of the Deadman Fire.  

CURRENT STATUS 

Firefighters will continue patrolling and mopping up uncontrolled edges of the McGhee and Deadman Fires. Repair and rehabilitation, including some work by hand, of indirect and direct lines will continue today on the north end of the McGhee Fire, as well as on various dozer lines on all four 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 

Today, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 92 F and 21 percent relative humidity. Winds will generally be from the north northeast, with gusts to 15 mph. A heat dome is moving into the area with very high temperatures forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday, and very low levels of relative humidity. Isolated torching in the interior of Deadman and McGhee will continue.  

SMOKE 

Smoke from Canada and other fires will impact the area. For the current smoke reports, visit  www.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.