Sand Creek Fire Reaches 1,684 Acres; Forest Road Closed
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
WISDOM, Mont. — The Sand Creek Fire has grown to an estimated 1,684 acres as fire activity increases approximately 7.5 miles southeast of Wisdom.
Smoke columns were visible Wednesday as fire activity increased on the southwest and north sections of the fire. An infrared flight was conducted to provide more accurate mapping of the fire’s perimeter.
The fire started July 26, and its cause remains undetermined. A total of 32 personnel are assigned to the incident.
A hotshot crew continues working along Steel Fox Road, Forest Service Road 2420, to prepare additional access points, escape routes and safety areas.
A road grader and dozer are on the scene, with more resources expected to arrive.
Additional crews will work on the northern section of the fire near Lilly Lake. Firefighters plan to establish control features that connect with areas burned by previous wildfires.
Fire managers are also assessing the surrounding area to determine whether structure-protection measures will be necessary.
Aerial resources successfully completed a radio-repeater mission, improving communications among firefighters working across the incident.
Fire activity has been increasing during the afternoon. Officials said smoke and flames are most likely to be visible between 3 and 9 p.m.
The fire continues to burn through heavy dead and downed fuels in lodgepole pine and subalpine fir stands on steep, timbered terrain.
Red Flag Warning in Effect
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Sunny conditions, smoke and haze are expected throughout the day. Southwest winds Thursday morning are forecast to shift to the west and northwest during the afternoon.
Morning gusts could reach 10 to 14 mph before increasing to 20 to 25 mph during the afternoon. The strongest winds are expected between 3 and 7 p.m.
Hot temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds could produce elevated to near-critical fire weather. Poor overnight humidity recovery is expected to continue, and critical fire weather may develop Friday and persist into the weekend.
Forest Service Road 2420 is closed to the public until further notice.
A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires. Unauthorized aircraft, including recreational drones, must remain outside the restricted airspace.
Sand Creek Fire Information
Size: Estimated at 1,684 acres
Location: Approximately 7.5 miles southeast of Wisdom
Personnel: 32
Resources: One hotshot crew, one Type 6 engine, one road grader and one dozer
Current work: Improving access, establishing control features and assessing structure-protection needs
Road closure: Forest Service Road 2420
Weather alert: Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday
Airspace: Temporary Flight Restriction over the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires