Rain Slows Fire Activity as Crews Continue Work on Sand Creek, Bobcat Lakes and Skull Fires

WISDOM, Mont. — Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and rain showers helped reduce wildfire activity Wednesday across the Sand Creek, Bobcat Lakes and Skull fires, while hundreds of firefighters continue suppression work in Southwest Montana.

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1, led by Incident Commander Brent Olson, reports 577 personnel assigned to the fires, including 14 crews, 12 engines, one dozer, five masticators and 12 skidgens.

The Sand Creek Fire remains the largest of the three at an estimated 35,433 acres and 20% containment. The fire is located approximately 7.5 miles southeast of Wisdom.

The Bobcat Lakes Fire, approximately 13 miles southwest of Wise River and 12 miles east of Wisdom, is estimated at 10,850 acres and 61% contained.

The Skull Fire, located approximately eight miles southeast of Wisdom and one mile east of Odell Lake, remains estimated at 67 acres with 0% containment.

All three fires were caused by lightning and started July 31 or August 1.

Rain Reduces Fire Activity

Thunderstorms and rain showers moved across the fire area Wednesday, reducing fire activity but also creating challenges for firefighters. Wet roads slowed access in some areas, while suppression operations continued where conditions allowed.

On the Sand Creek Fire, heavy equipment work on the west side was temporarily paused because of rain. Crews continued constructing a combination of direct and indirect control lines.

Firefighters are preparing Steel-Fox Road as a fire control line to help protect private property to the west. Work on indirect control lines also continues along the southwest corner of the fire and east toward Cow Camp.

Crews continued mop-up and securing control lines from Cow Camp east to Old Tim Creek while also patrolling containment lines from Old Tim Creek east to Dingley Creek. These lines are being monitored to help protect private property in the Grasshopper Valley.

Firefighters also continued working on a pocket of heat inside established containment lines in the Dingley Creek area.

Suppression repair is expected to begin on dozer lines along the south side that are no longer needed to hold the fire. On the northeast side, crews and equipment continue working to secure control lines in the Price Creek area.

Bobcat Lakes Fire Reaches 61% Containment

On the Bobcat Lakes Fire, crews patrolled containment lines along the northeast corner and east side of the fire, with those areas remaining secure.

Firefighters continue mop-up and work to secure the southeast and southern control line along Lacy Creek Road west toward Jerked Prairie.

A heavy equipment task force is also working along the Byway, thinning vegetation and reducing fuels in targeted areas on both sides of the road.

The work is intended to strengthen the Byway as a control line and improve its effectiveness as a holding feature between the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires.

Minimal Activity on Skull Fire

Rain and increased humidity kept activity on the 67-acre Skull Fire minimal.

Cool conditions are expected to continue Thursday, with temperatures forecast between 55 and 62 degrees and minimum relative humidity ranging from 36% to 56%.

Fire activity is expected to vary across the area depending on how much rainfall individual locations received.

Southwestern Montana News will continue providing updates on the Sand Creek, Bobcat Lakes and Skull fires as new information becomes available.