Single Publication

GROUSE FIRE UPDATE

Incident Commander:  R. Griffin, C. Olander, (T)
Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT
Start Date: 7/25/2024 
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 2,097 acres 
Resources on Site: 2 hotshot crews; 2 type 2 hand crews; 7 engines; 2 skidgens; 1 dozer
Total Personnel:  232
 

KEY MESSAGES: 
A Community Meeting will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 at the Wise River Community Foundation Building at 6:00 p.m. MDT. An Area/Road/Trail Closure is in effect for the vicinity of the fire perimeter on the west side of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.

The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains OPEN. Those recreating or traveling in the fire area are encouraged to be aware of the situation and to pay attention to increased fire traffic. If traveling in the area please slow down, drive 35 MPH, and yield to firefighting equipment, engines, and vehicles.
 

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
An Incident Awareness and Assessment (IAA) Flight flew the fire perimeter yesterday and mapped the fire at 2,097 acres. 
The Flathead Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) continue constructing fireline on the north flank of the fire by Stine Mountain progressing east. The hotshots will continue scouting for opportunities for a more direct (closer to the fire’s active edge) approach on the north and east flanks. A Sikorsky helicopter (also known as a skycrane) assisted with water drops to cool fireline construction. The skycrane holds roughly 2,000 gallons of water and with the current elevation, is averaging 700 to 1,200 gallons.
There has been active fire behavior for multiple days, with torching, flanking, spotting and uphill runs. Hand crews continue to secure and “mop-up” all residual heat along the edges, working from the southeast side of the fire and progressing east towards the residences near Pettengill Road. These actions are to keep the fire west of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and protect private property in the Pettengill Creek Drainage. 
The Bonneville Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) continues working with structure protection equipment (pumps, hoses, and sprinklers) near residences in the Pettengill Creek area. On the eastern edge of the fire perimeter, crews are using existing and improved control features (such as prepped firelines) to prevent fire spread to the north and east, to suppress spot fires, and extinguish hot spots to protect private property along Pettengill Creek. Fire managers will scout for opportunities on the southern and southwest flanks of the fire in the Pettengill Creek drainage. Smoke is still visible throughout the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and Wise River vicinity. 
 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Saturday was hot with breezy conditions. A trough moved in last night, bringing increased clouds, wind, rain and thunderstorms. Sunday is forecasted for cooler temperatures, with a chance of thunderstorms again on Monday. Active fire behavior is expected to continue with movement primarily up the Grouse Creek drainage and sub-drainages.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-grouse.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.

The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.