Firefighters Make Significant Progress On Sawlog Fire In Montana; Containment Reaches 90%

Wise River, MT  Fire crews battling the Sawlog Fire have achieved a major milestone, now reaching 90% containment. Efforts are focusing on patrol and mop-up operations along the western edge of the fire to secure containment lines and extinguish residual hot spots.

As part of ongoing strategy, firefighters have dismantled temporary "spike camps" near the fire and returned to the Incident Command Post with their gear. A helicopter supported cargo operations during a two-hour weather window, while unmanned aerial systems (UAS) conducted infrared missions to locate and map lingering heat along the perimeter.

Resource managers from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (FS) are evaluating environmental impacts and formulating repair plans. Crews continue patrolling containment lines and addressing residual heat, especially in the Walker Creek drainage northeast of the fire, an area linked to the Alder Fire of 2021.

Weather conditions remain a variable factor. Recent storms brought gusty winds up to 40 miles per hour but little precipitation. Today’s forecast predicts temperatures in the 60s with a slight 10% chance of light rain and southwest winds up to 35 mph. However, a larger system is expected to bring widespread rain and sustained wetting conditions on Tuesday, aiding suppression efforts.

Fire behavior remains relatively limited, primarily creeping and smoldering within unburned patches. Minimal smoke production indicates that the fire is now mostly contained but still needs monitoring.

Public safety measures are in place, with the Montana Fish, Wildfire, and Parks Department closing the Fishtrap Creek Fishing Access Site from Mudd Creek Bridge to Sportsman’s Park due to fire activity. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary closure for the Sawlog dispersed camping area at the Big Hole River ford site.

Fire officials and resource agencies continue assessments and preparations as they monitor weather conditions to support ongoing firefighting operations. Updates and detailed closure information are available on the InciWeb page: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident/mtbdf-sawlog