Flathead OES

08/31/2026

🔥Deer Creek Fire Update | 8/30 at 8:00 am🔥
Location: 18 miles west of Marion, MT
Start Date: 8/20/2026
Cause: Human
Size: 1099 acres
Completion/Containment: 76%
Resources: 164 personnel

KEY MESSAGE
With 76% containment and secure control lines, management of the Deer Creek Fire will transition from the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 9 back to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation tomorrow.

CURRENT STATUS
Yesterday, crews continued to mop-up around the entire perimeter, working progressively deeper into the interior to extinguish any remaining hot spots. Once firefighters are confident that all hot spots within 200 feet of control lines are extinguished, that section of line is considered contained.
Today’s priority remains to aggressively mop up hot spots to increase containment. Thorough mop-up is essential to fully secure the control lines before transitioning the fire into patrol status.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Today will be partly cloudy with a chance for a rain shower and isolated thunderstorms. There is a 20% chance for wetting rain and 10% for lightning. Temperatures are lower than previous days with a high temperature of 65 degrees and minimum humidity of 37%. Morning winds are variable/south 2-6 mph with gusts to 15 mph becoming west-southwest 8-14 mph with gusts to 20-30 mph in the afternoon. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
There are no evacuations or closure orders at this time. We ask members of the public to avoid the Pleasant Valley Area to allow emergency access by responders and ensure firefighter and public safety.

08/31/2026

Two disturbances will be moving through the Northern Rockies Tuesday afternoon and then again Wednesday morning through early afternoon. These features will cause widespread shower and thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph, moderate to heavy rainfall and lightning. Remember, when thunder roars go indoors.

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

Daily Update
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Fire Statistics:
Start Date: July 29th, 2026
Cause: Lightning
Location: Tally Ranger District, ~15 miles west of Olney, MT
Size: 3,384 acres
Containment: 82%
Total Personnel: 192

Current Situation
Yesterday, on the Skillet fire, minimal fire activity was observed. Crews patrolled and assessed quiet areas on the fire for potential removal of hose, pumps and supplies that are no longer necessary. Crews continued to work along the Alder Creek drainage where heat is still present. Skillet Fire resources worked on the Adams Fire and were able to contain 50% of the fire. Crews began mopping up the edges along the completed mechanical line and handlines. Skillet resources are no longer staffing the Trixie Fire, and it has returned to the local unit for patrols.

Today, firefighters on the Skillet fire will work on any edges of the fire that are still smoldering and creeping. On the southwest side near Alder Creek the work will be focused on connecting a saw line and hose lay where there is still heat along the edges. On the Adams Fire, firefighters have cooled approximately 15 feet into the fire from the lines and crews will continue further into the fire extinguishing burning debris, using pumps, hoses and water tenders.

Weather and Fire Behavior
Yesterday was mostly sunny and dry with slightly above normal temperatures and light winds. Thermal belts continue to produce moderate overnight humidity recoveries along mid slopes and ridges. Today will be partly cloudy with scattered afternoon thunderstorms that may bring occasional lightning and gusty outflow winds between 35 and 45 mph. Wetting rains are unlikely, except directly underneath the stronger storm cells. Tomorrow remains partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and afternoon thunderstorms.

Smoke
Local smoke information found at: https://deq.mt.gov/air/Programs/smokeforecasts

Closures
Closure orders for the Flathead and Kootenai National Forests remain in effect to provide for public and firefighter safety during ongoing fire suppression and repair activities associated with the Skillet Fire. A security checkpoint will remain in place to ensure that only residents and property owners are allowed access into the closed area. This measure is in place to help maintain public safety and support ongoing firefighting operations. The closure includes roads, trailheads, trails, day-use areas, and campgrounds. The current Forest closure order can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/alerts

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

By Tuesday afternoon, the Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) smoke model shows areas of heavy surface smoke over northwest Montana from regional wildfires.

Source: HRRR-smoke

Expect additional impacts to air quality on Monday from ongoing wildfires burning around Montana and the region. A cool front and trough over the eastern half of the state will drag surface smoke from Canadian wildfires into parts of eastern Montana on Tuesday.

Conditions can change quickly as weather could stimulate active fires and the likelihood of new starts increases. Please keep track of concentrations at todaysair.mtdeq.us or the Fire and Smoke Map.