Single Incident Information

Current Status of the Magruder Ridge Fire Sept. 2:  ** Temporary Road closures in place 

Fire Location: 4 miles west of Magruder Ranger Station in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness

Start Date: 8/19/2024

Cause: Lightning

Size: 678 Acres (Infrared picture as of Friday, Aug. 31)

Resources assigned: 2 Suppression Modules (12 Firefighters working on point protection)

KEY MESSAGES

• The fire has grown since the last Infrared flight on Friday night. It is estimated to be over 800 acres.
• The fire is in close proximity to the Magruder Corridor Road and based on the current fire activity and predicted red flag weather today, the West Fork RD has decided to temporarily restrict public traffic on sections of NF Road 468, Magruder Corridor Road/Nez Perce Trail Road. Specific areas impacted by the fire and the temporary closure are from Magruder Crossing Campground to Observation Point.   
• Weather conditions today are predicted to be hot, dry with gusty winds.

ROAD CLOSURES

The Magruder Ridge Fire was caused by lightning Aug. 19 in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. The fire is moving closer to the Magruder Corridor Road. Due to current fire activity and predicted weather, the West Fork Ranger Station is temporarily closing sections of the Magruder Corridor Road (about 11 miles) from Magruder Crossing Campground to Observation Point. Magruder Corridor Road is also listed as Forest Road 468 and Nez Perce Trail Road. The temporary closure will go into effect this afternoon between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Additional closures may be needed the next several days depending on fire activity and impacts along the road.  

Firefighters from the West Fork Ranger Station have implemented protections on values at risk and continue to protect infrastructure at Kim Creek Saddle and Magruder Crossing Campground utilizing pumps and sprinklers. Firefighters will be in the area to provide fire information and coordinate public travel through the fire area as conditions allow, likely in the late evening and early morning.

People can expect delays. These decisions were made with public safety in mind. 

• Reader boards will be posted at the intersection of Little West Fork Creek Crossing and Nez Perce Road and Red River Ranger District Elk City, ID.
• Road access from the Montana side to Paradise on 468 and 6223 will remain open for now.
• Contact the West Fork Ranger District 406-821-3269 for the latest information on road impacts.