Aug. 18 Fire Briefing: Crews Gain Ground on Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes Fires, Prepare for Warmer Days Ahead

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, Mont. — Firefighters are making significant progress on the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires following several days of cooler temperatures and rain, but officials cautioned Tuesday evening that both incidents remain active and will require continued management into the fall.

During an Aug. 18 online community update, Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3 said recent moisture has allowed crews to move closer to the fires, construct direct containment line and begin removing equipment from areas considered secure.

The Sand Creek Fire was most recently mapped at 31,652 acres and 1% containment, while the Bobcat Lakes Fire was estimated at 9,791 acres and 19% contained. Nearly 700 firefighters and support personnel continue working across the two incidents.

Officials said the improving conditions are also allowing some residents to return home. However, the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and designated areas of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest remain closed.

A major shift from rapid growth to direct suppression

Southwestern Montana News has followed both fires from their early stages as they expanded rapidly through heavy timber and dead and downed fuels.

The Bobcat Lakes Fire was reported July 31 east of Wisdom and grew quickly under hot, dry and windy conditions. The Sand Creek Fire was first detected in late July and initially reported Aug. 1 at about 40 acres before growing to approximately 450 acres within hours.

During the following days, the Sand Creek Fire spread east and south, crossed the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and burned into the Maverick Mountain ski area. Its rapid movement forced evacuations around Elkhorn Hot Springs, Maverick Mountain, Polaris and portions of the Grasshopper Valley.

Firefighters initially had few safe opportunities to work directly along the fires’ edges. Crews instead focused on protecting homes, cabins, businesses, communication sites and other infrastructure while constructing indirect lines from roads, grasslands and other defensible locations.

That strategy began to change after both fires received at least a half-inch of precipitation late last week, with some locations receiving more.

The rain reduced fire activity to mostly creeping and smoldering, allowing firefighters to move into areas that had previously been too dangerous or difficult to reach.

Sand Creek crews closing a critical gap near Maverick Mountain

One of the most significant developments is taking place on the southern side of the Sand Creek Fire between Old Tim Creek and Maverick Mountain.

Crews have been working directly along the fire’s edge from two directions. Firefighters moved uphill from the Old Tim Creek area while two additional crews worked down Maverick Ridge from the top of the ski area.

Operations officials said the crews expected to meet—or “touch Pulaskis”—either Tuesday evening or early Wednesday. Completing that connection would secure a large section of fire line and protect valuable timber and grazing land south of the fire.

Officials described the operation as a major step toward increasing containment on the Sand Creek Fire.

Firefighters have also improved old roads and trails in the Cow Creek, Warm Springs Cow Camp and Old Tim Creek areas. Some crews have camped in remote locations for as long as two weeks to improve access and patrol portions of the fire that previously could be reached only by helicopter.

Wet creek bottoms in that area have helped slow the fire naturally.

More direct line planned in steep terrain

Crews are preparing another direct suppression operation along a steep, roughly mile-and-a-half section of the Sand Creek Fire with more than 2,200 feet of elevation change.

The operation is expected to begin Wednesday and continue for several days. Helicopters may be used to move firefighters and equipment into the area.

Fire managers also identified sections where the fire has backed into rocky terrain and no longer has vegetation available to continue spreading. Those areas are expected to be added to containment maps as officials verify that the fire cannot move beyond them.

Along the northern side of the Grasshopper Valley, crews have reached containment on several lines and have begun removing hoses, pumps and water tanks that are no longer needed.

Officials stressed that equipment removal does not mean suppression work is finished. Equipment will remain wherever firefighters are still finding heat or where it could be needed if conditions change. Some released equipment has already been reassigned to other wildfires as the Northern Rockies region experiences shortages of pumps, hoses and portable water tanks.

Price Creek and Coolidge areas remain closely monitored

Crews continue point-protection work around the Price Mine and greater Price Creek area. Firefighters are locating and extinguishing small concentrations of heat while checking campgrounds, cabins and other identified values.

Fire managers said the area has shown little to no recent growth. Modeling indicates less than a 10% chance of significant fire movement toward Price Creek and the upper Elkhorn Mine area during the next several weeks, based on the current weather forecast and fuel conditions.

Roads in that area are also being improved as potential holding features. Crews are thinning vegetation, chipping debris and constructing limited sections of handline or dozer line to provide additional options if the fire becomes active again.

In the Coolidge area, firefighters have been working to protect the historic Tyro House. That work is expected to be completed Wednesday.

Officials also confirmed that the fire has not crossed over Comet Mountain. The fire has stopped in a rocky bowl near the lakes below the mountain’s main shelf, where managers said there is not enough continuous vegetation to carry it farther.

Historic Bear Creek cabin wrapped for protection

Firefighters completed protection work around a historic cabin in the Bear Creek area Monday.

Crews cleared a narrow strip of vegetation to mineral soil around the cabin and wrapped the building and nearby outhouse in protective foil. Officials said the material can later be removed without permanently changing the appearance of the site.

The operation was one of several efforts undertaken to protect historic structures, recreation sites, homes and infrastructure within the fire area.

Bobcat Lakes crews increase containment

Crews are continuing to strengthen containment on the Bobcat Lakes Fire, particularly along creek bottoms and the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.

Firefighters are working the fire’s edge with hand tools and water, removing heat and checking for remaining hot spots. Additional sections of the perimeter are expected to be shown as contained on upcoming maps.

A specialized wildland fire module is expected to arrive within the next several days. That team will work in remote and difficult-to-access areas, helping managers determine how much heat remains along portions of the fire that have received limited ground inspection.

Crews have completed chipping along the main byway near the Bobcat Lakes Fire. They are now improving additional roads by removing dead trees, pruning branches and chipping brush left from earlier suppression work.

In the Jerked Prairie area, firefighters have inspected the pumps and sprinkler systems installed around structures. Officials said enough fuel has been stockpiled to operate those systems for several weeks if fire activity returns.

Warmer and drier weather returns

Although recent rain produced an important window for firefighters, warmer and drier conditions are returning.

Wednesday is expected to be the driest day, with relative humidity falling into the teens. Temperatures will continue rising through Friday, when the hottest conditions of the week are forecast.

Fire behavior analysts expect the fuels to take several days to dry after last week’s rain. During the next two or three operational shifts, residents may see smoldering logs, creeping ground fire and occasional trees or small groups of trees torching.

Officials do not expect an immediate return to the extreme growth experienced earlier in August. However, the fires could become more active toward the end of the week as vegetation dries.

Clouds, higher humidity and possible showers or thunderstorms could return beginning Friday evening and continue through the weekend. Increased winds and unpredictable thunderstorm outflows will remain concerns.

Evacuations reduced, but closures remain

Evacuation restrictions have been reduced in portions of the Grasshopper Valley as conditions improve.

Shale Creek and Clark Creek were moved from “GO” to “SET” status effective Aug. 17, allowing residents to return while remaining prepared to leave again. Restrictions were lifted for Billings Creek and areas to the south.

Areas above Shale Creek and Clark Creek, including Elkhorn Hot Springs and Maverick Mountain, were most recently reported as remaining under “GO” status. Residents should consult the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office evacuation map and confirm the status of their property before returning.

Fire officials said some additional restrictions could change by Friday or Saturday, with more normal access potentially returning early next week. No firm reopening date has been announced.

The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains closed. Reopening the road will require coordination among the incident management team, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Beaverhead County commissioners, the Sheriff’s Office and county emergency officials.

A broader Forest Service closure also remains in effect for designated lands, roads and trails in the Wisdom and Dillon ranger districts. Officials said those areas will reopen only when risks to firefighters and the public have been sufficiently reduced.

Management transition planned for Aug. 24

Northern Rockies Team 3 took command of the fires Aug. 11 and is expected to complete its assignment Sunday, Aug. 23.

If conditions and staffing allow, a smaller Type 3 incident management organization will assume command Monday, Aug. 24. Officials said that transition reflects a reduction in the complexity of the incident, not the end of suppression work.

The current operation involves roughly 800 people working from camps in Wisdom and Wise River. Under the planned transition, resources would be consolidated at the Wisdom camp and staffing could decline to between 200 and 400 people.

Incident Commander Mike Behrens said both fires are expected to remain long-term incidents extending into the fall. The incoming team will continue securing fireline, monitoring remote areas, protecting structures and responding to any renewed activity.

The fire information line is 406-420-1966 and is staffed daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Updates are also available through InciWeb and official Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest fire information channels.