Single Publication

Video Update: https://fb.watch/tvyTEd63FK/ 

Deadman, McGhee, Prairie, and Four Mile Fires 

Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office 

Mark Jacobson 406-233-2831 

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 

Eastern Land Office Anna Lau 406-247-4400 

Fire Information 406-924-3831 (until 9 pm today) 

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

Tuesday, July 23, 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: 95%   McGhee: 73%   Prairie: 100%   Four Mile: 100%   

KEY MESSAGE  

This is the final update for the Deadman, McGhee, Prairie and Four Mile Fires. 

Today is the last day the Deadman Fire(s) will be managed under Mike Behrens’ Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3. Command will be transferred to a local Type 4 team at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, with the Bureau of Land Management and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation fire managers. Yesterday, firefighters patrolled and mopped up uncontrolled edges of the McGhee and Deadman Fires, increasing containment percentages for both. Repair of suppression and control lines occurred on all four fires. Extra resources were demobilized or sent to other priority incidents.  

CURRENT STATUS 

Patrolling, monitoring, and mopping up will continue today. Repair and rehabilitation of suppression and control lines are also ongoing. Hand crews will finish repairing control lines on steep ground today. Unburned islands in the interior of the McGhee and Deadman Fires will continue to burn out in the foreseeable future and produce visible smoke. However, the probability of escape is very low. The temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the fire area will be lifted at the end of today.  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 97° F and 15 percent relative humidity. Winds will generally be from the north with gusts to 8 mph. Triple digit temperatures and very low levels of relative humidity are forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday.  

SMOKE 

Smoke from Canada and other regional fires is impacting 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.