17/08/2025
TO***CO ROOT MOUNTAINS FIRES
2 active wildfires continue to burn in the To***co Root Mountains in southwest Montana.
Cloudwest Fire:
Size: 1,156 acres
Containment: 0%
Cause: Undetermined
Located 9 miles northeast of Sheridan and 12 miles east of Twin Bridges in the Indian Creek drainage, the fire was reported via the Alert West camera system. The fire is burning in thick subalpine fir timber with a heavy dead and downed fuel component. Given the critical fire weather conditions associated with the predicted RED FLAG WARNING, the fire spread rapidly.
A large helicopter dropped water as ground crews responded. Crews positioned themselves in Indian Creek and the North Willow area to address any spots and fire movement.
The fire is burning at 8,100 feet in elevation in the To***co Roots Mountains, just northwest of the Bivens Creek Fire.
Bivens Creek Fire:
Size: 1,932 acres
Contaiment: 0%
Cause: Undetermined
Located 11 miles northeast of Alder and 10 miles east of Sheridan, the fire was reported on the evening of August 13th. Firefighters responded, assisted by water bucket drops from helicopter 4MA.
Fire behavior was active immediately and increased early the next day, given the critical fire weather conditions that prompted RED FLAG WARNINGS. Within one hour and without the influence of the sun's solar heating, fire behavior increased markedly with subsequent perimeter growth.
