Timber Butte Fire Grows To 2,245 Acres Overnight

TIMBER BUTTE fire update from the Beaverhead Deerlodge NF

Located west of Dell in a remote area within the Hidden Pasture Creek Wilderness Study Area, the Timber Butte Fire is estimated at 2,245 acres. Overall fire activity diminished over the nighttime hours but remained active on the northern flank, with creeping and smoldering fire behavior. The fire is burning on lands managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management - Montana/Dakotas. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined and under investigation.

For your safety and that of firefighting resources, Forest fire officials are encouraging the public to stay out of the immediate area, especially Forest System Road 1829. Agency officials are discussing the implementation of a temporary area closure for the fire area.

Initial attack resources were engaged in fire suppression operations until midnight and remained on scene throughout the night. Additional resources, including numerous engines, helicopters, water-scooping airplanes, hand crews, and a load of smokejumpers, are either enroute or on order.

Today’s weather forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s, with sustained northerly winds 7-17 mph and gusts to 28 mph.