Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

08/31/2026

🚧 CLOSURES STILL IN EFFECT 🚧

Area closures surrounding the Bobcat Lakes, Sand Creek, and Moose fires remain in effect to safeguard public welfare, secure unencumbered access for emergency personnel and equipment, and facilitate safe fire suppression and repair operations.

🔥A substantial amount of active fire still exists on the landscape across the three fire areas, resulting in the presence of fire suppression resources and potential smoke impacts. Crews, engines, and heavy equipment require safe ground zones in which to operate, as do helicopters and drones above.

💨 While diminished smoke and visible fire activity may suggest a reduction in overall risk, substantial hazards still exist and may persist after the flames are gone. The current fire and post-fire landscapes present several critical safety concerns.

🪾 Standing dead trees (“snags”) remain structurally compromised and could fall without notice, especially during windy conditions. Stump holes, unstable ground, rock falls, fire-weakened or killed hazard trees, downed trees, and potential debris flows can also occur.

🚧 Closures allow resource protection, emergency stabilization, and infrastructure repair teams to operate safely and efficiently. Restricting access allows these teams to safely assess environmental impacts and repair infrastructure.

‼️ Closures accelerate the recovery process and expedite the eventual reopening of the area.

ℹ Agency officials are actively coordinating with fire management staff and resource specialists to monitor conditions. Closures will be modified or rescinded only after all hazards are thoroughly mitigated.

ℹ Changes and updates to closures will be posted to the Forest pages and website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/beaverhead-deerlodge/alerts







Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office
Granite County Sheriff's Office
Montana DNRC
Butte-Silver Bow Emergency Management
Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department
Bureau of Land Management - Montana/Dakotas
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

08/31/2026

📣FIRE DANGER ALERT

Fire managers on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest have lowered fire danger across the Forest to HIGH.

When the fire danger is "HIGH," wildfires are likely, with easy ignition from most causes and rapid spread, particularly in heavy, continuous fuels. Control can be difficult if fires are not attacked when small.

Fire danger ratings indicate the likelihood of a fire starting, its potential spread, and the intensity at which it will burn. These ratings are based on factors including weather, fuel conditions, and topography.

08/30/2026

📣We are hiring!

Now is the time to apply! Access the vacancy announcements online at USAJOBS.gov.

Search all announcements by entering the keyword 27-FIRE or by entering your desired duty location (city, state).

Tune up your 2-page resume and cover letter and assemble all other required documents listed in the vacancy notice.

Apply online and get ready to .

For more information on the vacancies and the hiring process in the Northern Rockies Geographic Area, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/working-with-us/careers/fire-hiring.

08/28/2026

⚠ Road Closure Rescinded ⚠

ℹ Forest Road #677 (Wyman Gulch Road), previously closed at the Boulder Creek bridge, is now open.

Replacement of the bridge is complete, and the road is open for travel. The new bridge will ensure long-term, safe access to the area and improve road infrastructure.

Forest officials appreciate the public's patience as we work on safe access to public lands.

📞 For more information, contact the Pintler Ranger District at 406-859-8235.

📷: Forest Service photos of the newly constructed bridge and approaches on the Boulder Creek bridge replacement project.




Granite County Sheriff's Office

08/24/2026

‼ We are hiring!

ℹ Vacancy announcements for many permanent wildland firefighter positions on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF for the 2027 fire year are now OPEN in .

ℹ Submit your application online prior to September 22nd, 2026 when the announcements CLOSE.

ℹ All FIRE HIRE specific announcements can be searched in USAJOBS by keyword 27-FIRE. Applicants may also search by desired duty location by entering the city, state.

ℹ Applicants are encouraged to apply to any position and duty station you may be interested in, as those positions may become vacant throughout the FIRE HIRE process.

📞Specific information about the position(s) and duty location(s) on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF is available from the unit contacts. Your response is important if you are interested in filling a position through this process.

🔥Anaconda Job Corps – Monica Thomas 406-546-0695
🔥Butte Jefferson District - Kevin Smith 406-491-0202
🔥Dillon District – Aaron Knudson 775-846-3056
🔥Wisdom/Wise River District – Richard Griffin 406-925-1951
🔥Wise River Helitack – Randy Gilbert 406-925-3779
🔥Madison District - Jim King 406-682-4253
🔥Pintler District – Jerod Russell 208-946-6803
🔥Dillon Interagency Dispatch – Claire Smith 406-683-3992
🔥Supervisor’s Office – Joe Sampson 406-491-0884

ℹ For more information on the vacancies and the hiring process in the Northern Rockies Geographic Area, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/working-with-us/careers/fire-hiring.

08/22/2026

🚩RED FLAG WARNING 🚩

The US National Weather Service Missoula Montana has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for the western portion of the Forest, effective 1 p.m. through 8 p.m. Sunday, August 23rd.

⚠ Strong winds, low relative humidity, and potentially severe thunderstorms are in the forecast. Southwest winds from 15 to 20 mph are expected, with potential gusts up to 40 mph. Relative humidity levels could dip as low as 15 percent. Severe thunderstorms could produce erratic outflow winds.

🚫 Avoid any activity that could start a fire, as any fires that do start could spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recomended.

08/21/2026

‼ We are hiring!

🔥The Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF is outreaching for the yearly hiring event known as FIRE HIRE. Announcements for many permanent wildland firefighter positions for the 2027 fire year will be opening soon in .

📣Announcements OPEN August 24th and CLOSE September 22nd, 2026.

Specialized positions include dispatch, engine crews, fire and fuels management, hand crews, helitack, and fire prevention. Positions range from GW-03 to GW-10.

📣All Fire Hire specific announcements can be searched in USAJOBS by keyword 27-FIRE. Applicants may also search by desired duty location by entering city, state.

ℹ For more information on the vacancies and the hiring process in the Northern Rockies Geographic Area, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../working.../careers/fire-hiring.

08/18/2026

❗️Beginning around August 17th and continuing for approximately 4 weeks, two bridges over Ruby Creek on Forest Service Road (FSR) 624, also referred to as Gibbonsville Road, will be closed for bridge replacements.

This project is necessary to maintain long-term safe access and improve road infrastructure.

The FSR 624 will not be passable during construction, and no temporary motorized crossing will be constructed. The closure will be from mile post 4.4 to 5.6.

For more information contact the Wisdom Ranger District at 406-689-3243.

08/10/2026

⚠️ Bobcat Lakes and Sand Creek Area Closure ⚠️

🚧 All campgrounds, trails and roads within the closure area are closed.

An area closure remains in effect for public and firefighter safety due to wildfire activity in the Pioneer Mountains.

To view the full closure order and map visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/beaverhead-deerlodge/alerts/bobcat-lakes-sand-creek-area-area-road-trail-closure




Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF Wildland Fire Information
Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office

08/08/2026