WISDOM, MT – A 1,400 acre fire in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has closed a portion of the Big Hole River.
The Sawlog fire is burning about 15 miles northeast of Wisdom. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks closed the river from Muddy Creek Bridge downstream to Sportsman’s Park Fishing Access. Sportsman’s Park Access Site remains open, the agency said in a release. The Sawlog dispersed camping area is also closed.
The water closures are due to the river being used for bucket drops on the fire.
On Thursday morning, 173 personnel were on the fire. Smokejumpers and hotshot crews were part of the response, according to Inciweb.
The fire was reported on May 1 and the cause is underdetermined and under investigation, Anna Bateson, the Public Information Officer for the Sawlog Fire said to the Daily Montanan.
Fire crews have 20% of the fire contained with lines established along the northern and southern borders of the fire.
Crews have been making use of previous hand lines and have been working on mop-up duties. Four crews, three engines, and two helicopters have been among the response to the early-season fire.
The fire is burning through timber, sagebrush and short grass. Bateson said there are some areas of “heavy” dead and downed trees near the fire.
A cold front passing through the area could put winds on the fire up to 40 mph on Thursday, according to the fire situation report.
“Fire behavior may pick up today just due to the winds with the dry, cold front passes through,” Bateson said. “So, you know, maybe little more moderate than the smoldering and creeping than they’ve seen in the past couple days.”
This story first appeared on Daily Montanan.