Sand Creek Fire Grows to 27,736 Acres as Crews Protect Southwestern Montana Communities

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, Mont. — The Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires continue to burn in southwestern Montana, with 655 firefighters and support personnel assigned to the two incidents.

As of Friday, Aug. 14, the fires had burned a reported 37,504 acres. Officials cautioned that the actual total is likely higher because infrared mapping flights have been unavailable for several nights.

The Sand Creek Fire, burning southeast of Wisdom, is estimated at 27,736 acres with no reported containment. The Bobcat Lakes Fire, southwest of Wise River, has burned approximately 9,768 acres and is 6% contained.

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander Mike Behrens, is managing both fires. Resources include 37 engines, nine crews and seven bulldozers.

Grasshopper Valley residents allowed temporary access

Residents evacuated from Grasshopper Valley may temporarily return to their homes between 9:30 a.m. and noon Friday, Aug. 14, to retrieve essential belongings and check their property.

Residents must check in with law enforcement at the roadblock, present identification, provide the address they are visiting and record the times they enter and leave the evacuation area.

Everyone must leave the area by noon. Officials said temporary access will be evaluated daily and could be restricted as conditions change.

Residents should remain alert, follow instructions from emergency personnel and be prepared to leave immediately.

Sand Creek Fire activity

The western edge of the Sand Creek Fire has reached a bulldozer containment line between Sheep Creek and Stanley Creek near the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest boundary. The fire’s eastern tip has reached the headwaters of Dingley Creek.

A hotshot crew installed a hose line on Maverick Mountain between the fire and the lodge and other infrastructure. Bulldozers also began constructing fireline along the eastern side of Grasshopper Valley.

On Friday, crews plan to strengthen the handline on Maverick Mountain and begin mopping up the area. Firefighters will also hold and improve fireline around structures in Wellman Creek.

Structure-protection assessments are expected to begin along Sawtooth Road. Fire managers are also evaluating opportunities to contain the fire using direct and indirect fireline.

Bobcat Lakes Fire activity

The most active portion of the Bobcat Lakes Fire on Thursday was along its northwestern edge, where the fire reached a ridge southeast of Kelley Creek.

Higher humidity and increased moisture in fine fuels prevented firefighters from completing planned firing operations. Engines and crews held the fire on the west side of the byway.

Officials plan to assess structure-protection needs farther south along the byway in case additional protective measures become necessary.

Rain moderates fire behavior, raises flood risk

Showers and thunderstorms are expected intermittently throughout Friday. Temperatures are forecast to remain near 65 degrees with calm winds.

Rain and higher humidity have increased moisture in grasses and other fine fuels, significantly reducing fire activity. Officials expect behavior to be limited primarily to creeping and smoldering.

However, a Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the fire area. Some locations across the two fires could receive as much as an inch of rain over the next several days.

Aerial assistance was not needed Thursday because of the changing weather. A light helicopter completed one reconnaissance flight over the fires, and all helicopters assigned to the incident are expected to be available Friday.

Forest closures and flight restrictions

A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over both fire areas.

Parts of the Wisdom and Dillon ranger districts in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest are also closed. The closure applies to designated National Forest System lands, roads and trails under Closure Order No. 01020326-04.

Maps and a complete description of the closure are available through the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and InciWeb.

Residents should continue monitoring official emergency notifications and follow directions from law enforcement and fire personnel. Conditions can change rapidly, and protecting residents and emergency responders remains the highest priority.