Alder Creek
Size: 13,984 Acres
Containment: 15%
Location: 7 miles west of
Wise River, MT
Start Date: July 8, 2021
Cause: Unknown
Total personnel: 281
Alder Creek Fire: On Wednesday, the Beaverhead County Sheriff rescinded all
evacuations around Highway 43 and the Pioneer Scenic Byway; there are currently
no remaining evacuations in Beaverhead County. Structure protection will remain in
place. Firefighters will focus efforts on strengthening containment lines and
removing pockets of heat that remain throughout the fire. Much of this effort will
be concentrated in the Dino Creek Drainage near the Pioneer Scenic Byway and
Foolhen Ridge along the northwest portion of the fire.

Trail Creek
Size: 38,845 Acres
Containment: 26%
Location: 20 miles west of
Wisdom, MT
Start Date: July 8, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 239
Trail Creek Fire: Crews have worked hard to keep the fire from crossing Threemile Creek and
have successfully anchored containment lines into Gibbonsville Road. Structure protection
remains throughout the area, and smoke will continue to be visible once the inversion layer
lifts and the current weather system passes. Residents in Lemhi County in and near
Gibbonsville remain in a “Set” evacuation status. Crews will continue to improve control
lines and mop-up hot spots in and around Battle Mountain near the Big Hole Battlefield, and
Gory Creek on the southeastern portion of the fire.

Christensen
Size: 11,012 Acres
Containment: 15%
Location: 12 miles west of Wise
River, MT
Start Date: July 16, 2021
Cause: Unknown
Total personnel: 33
Christensen Fire: Minimal fire activity was observed on the Christensen Fire on Wednesday,
and similar conditions are expected today. Favorable conditions will allow firefighters to
access the northern perimeter of the fire and mop-up hotspots.

Black Mountain
Size: 1,042 Acres
Containment: 90%
Location: 13 miles south of
Jackson, MT
Start Date: July 17, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Black Mountain Fire: With containment of the Black Mountain Fire increasing to 90 percent,
and no fire activity observed for nearly two weeks, resources will continue to be reassigned
to other fires throughout the area. The Black Mountain Fire will continue to be patrolled,
and crews will look for and extinguish any remaining heat throughout the fire.
Fire Weather: Widespread precipitation across all four fires occurred over the past two
days, with total accumulation ranging from 1-4 tenths of an inch. This precipitation has
resulted in nearly 100 percent humidity recovery at night, causing minimal fire behavior and
favorable firefighting conditions. Today, temperatures will be warmer, with highs varying
from the mid-50s to mid-60s, with light winds at 5-10 mph out of the northwest. Minimum
relative humidity will be 50 percent. There is a 45 percent chance of precipitation today,
with an increase in precipitation occurring in the coming days.

Major Closures:
• Hwy 43 and Pioneer Byway remain open. Motorists are asked to slow down and be on
the alert for firefighters, heavy smoke, and downed trees. Please check the Montana
DOT Road Report website for current conditions.
• Continental Divide Trail: Closed from Lemhi Pass north to Mussigbrod Creek.
• Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. North and South VanHouten,
Miner Lakes, Twin Lakes, May Creek and Divide Bridge Campgrounds are closed.
• Forest Closure orders in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forests
are in effect for all three fires.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for SW Montana
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for Central Idaho




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