Lolo National Forest

08/01/2026

🔥Big Hole Fire FINAL Update – July 31🔥
📍Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, 4 miles northeast of Eddy, MT

Firefighters completed construction of sawline and handline around the fire, removing vegetation down to bare mineral soil to establish a secure containment line. After completing the line, crews conducted multiple grid searches to locate and extinguish remaining pockets of heat near the fire's edge that could threaten containment. A helicopter supported suppression efforts throughout the day by transporting firefighters and delivering equipment via sling loads.

All resources are off the fireline for the evening and will return tomorrow to patrol the fire and extinguish remaining interior heat.

The lightning-caused fire has been mapped at 0.90 acres and is 100% contained. Updates will no longer be provided for this incident.

Montana Fire Information
Fire Information- Sanders County

08/01/2026

🚩A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Saturday, August 1, from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening due to widespread westerly wind gusts of 25 to 40 mph combined with low relative humidity, creating critical fire weather conditions.

High-based dry thunderstorms may develop Saturday afternoon and evening over the Lolo National Forest. While the chance of lightning is low, these storms could produce strong, gusty, and erratic outflow winds that can rapidly change fire behavior.

US National Weather Service Missoula Montana

07/31/2026

🔥Elder 1 Fire afternoon video update from Justin Kaber, Operations Section Chief.

📄Additional information on the Elder 1 Fire can be found on the InciWeb page: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-elder-1-fire

Montana DNRC
Frenchtown Rural Fire District
Mineral County Fire Information
Missoula County, Montana - Government

07/31/2026

🔥Big Hole Wildfire Update – July 31🔥
📍Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, 4 miles northeast of Eddy, MT

Firefighters worked late into the evening yesterday to suppress the Big Hole Fire. Two helicopters completed multiple water bucket drops to cool the fire, allowing ground resources to hike into the fire and begin constructing containment line around the perimeter. Three firefighters rappelled in to build a helispot that can be utilized for various missions throughout the day.

Fire behavior has moderated for the morning with ground crews working to secure the fire's edge and prevent further spread. The fire size is estimated at 0.90 acres. A helicopter remains available to support firefighters with gear transports and water drops if necessary.

Resources assigned to the fire include one module and 3 heli-rappelers.

Montana Fire Information
Fire Information- Sanders County

07/31/2026

🔥Elder 1 Fire Update July 31, 2026🔥

Fire Information: 406-468-1909
[email protected]
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-elder-1-fire

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson
Location: 7 miles southwest of Frenchtown, MT in Rock Creek
Start Date: 07/24/2026
Cause: Lightning
Size: 1,034 acres
Containment: 14%
232 Total Personnel | 6 Hand Crews | 6 Engines | 2 Helicopters | 3 Dozer | 6 Water Tenders

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS
Firefighters made significant progress yesterday due to favorable weather conditions. All spot fires on the south side of Rock Creek are now contained, and crews continue to mop up remaining heat along the south flank. Direct handline construction on the west flank is complete and holding.
On the northwest corner near Albert Point, crews constructed dozer line along the ridge and reinforced it with fire retardant. Firing operations along this line are underway, with crews planning to complete this work today. On the east flank, most of the fireline is in place; crews will burn out a remaining section of indirect line today to strengthen this area.
Today, firefighters will also focus on planning for tomorrow’s forecasted wind event. This includes confirming structure protection plans are in place and ensuring line resources have clear, safe egress routes should conditions change quickly.

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
The ridge of high pressure will continue to be the dominant feature today causing warm and dry conditions, very similar conditions to what was experienced on the fire yesterday. A strong dry cold front is still on track to push through the fire area Saturday afternoon. Elevated winds and limited humidity recovery is expected Saturday night. The atmosphere appears to become fairly unstable during the frontal passage, but no storms are expected. The front will mainly bring mid to high level clouds. A fire weather watch has been issued for Saturday afternoon and evening.

CLOSURES
An area and road closure around the fire is in effect starting today for public and firefighter safety due to wildfire activity. Specific closure information and maps are posted on InciWeb at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-elder-1-fire and https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/lolo/alerts notices as they are implemented.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been implemented over the fire area. This allows firefighting aircraft to safely work over the fire area. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

Montana DNRC
Frenchtown Rural Fire District
Missoula County, Montana - Government
Mineral County Fire Information

07/31/2026

NEW WILDFIRES

🔥Big Hole Fire- July 30
A new wildfire was detected approximately four miles northeast of Eddy, MT near Big Hole Lookout in Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. The fire is estimated at two acres, burning in timber and subalpine vegetation. Fire behavior is creeping with isolated tree torching.

Resources responding include one module, one crew and a rappel helicopter. The rappel ship will support suppression efforts with bucket drops and inserting firefighters. Ground crews have begun to arrive and are hiking in approximately one mile to access the fire. An additional helicopter has been requested for water support to reduce turn around time for water drops.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

🔥Plateau Fire- July 30
The Plateau Fire was reported at approximately 10:30am. The fire was three miles west of Alberton, between Plateau Road and Clark Fork River, located in Ninemile Ranger District. Initial Attack response included one engine from Frenchtown Rural Fire District and two engines from Lolo National Forest. The fire was burning in grass and determined to be human caused. Resources contained the fire at 1pm at a final size of 0.20 acres. No further updates will be provided.

Fire Information- Sanders County
Montana Fire Information
Frenchtown Rural Fire District

07/30/2026

Elder 1 Fire
Lolo National Forest

Fire Information: 406-468-1909
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-elder-1-fire
July 30, 2026

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson
Location: 7 miles southwest of Frenchtown, MT in Rock Creek
Start Date: 07/24/2026
Cause: Lightning
Size: 923 acres
204 Total Personnel | 6 Hand Crews | 6 Engines | 2 Helicopters | 3 Dozer | 6 Water Tenders


CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS

Yesterday, crews continued mopping up spot fires southeast of Rock Creek and advanced line construction along the flanks of the fire. Overnight, resources conducted a small burnout operation to contain a slop-over on the northeastern edge. A “slop-over” occurs when fire crosses a control line or natural barrier intended to confine its spread.

Aviation will be utilized today to burn out the “green island” of unburned vegetation between the two lobes of the fire below Albert Point. Preparations for this strategic firing operation include continuing and tying in dozer line construction toward Albert Point, establishing retardant line, and positioning ground crews to hold and secure control lines.

A structure protection group will begin structure assessments in neighboring areas, further building out contingency plans in the event of a weather shift.

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Hot and dry conditions continue under a ridge of high pressure. Northeast winds become established on the lower slopes by 1100 while westerly winds remain established at the ridge tops. By 1300, westerly winds are expected across the whole fire area. Saturday will be the hottest, driest day of the week. The next significant change in the weather is a strong, dry cold front expected late Saturday into Sunday, and a fire weather watch has already been issued for that period.

CLOSURES

An area and road closure around the fire is in effect starting today for public and firefighter safety due to wildfire activity. Specific closure information and maps are posted on InciWeb at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-elder-1-fire and https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/lolo/alerts notices as they are implemented.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been implemented over the fire area. This allows firefighting aircraft to safely work over the fire area. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

07/29/2026

❗Fire Danger Raised to VERY HIGH❗

The entire Lolo National Forest is now in VERY HIGH Fire Danger due to ongoing hot and dry conditions.

Very High fire danger means fires start easily from all causes, and immediately spread fast. Vegetation continues to dry out rapidly. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.

There are currently no fire restrictions in place on the Lolo National Forest. Residents and visitors are urged to use caution when recreating or working outdoors and to visit mtfireinfo.org to learn of fire restrictions in place throughout Montana.

07/29/2026