Bobcat Lakes

Evacuation warning remains for Jerked Prairie as suppression repair continues

The Bobcat Lakes Fire is burning in timber east of Wisdom within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Fire activity has remained minimal over the last 72 hours with creeping and smoldering as crews monitor containment lines and carry out suppression repair. An evacuation warning remains in effect for Jerked Prairie, while evacuation orders for nearby communities have been lifted.

Evacuations and Closures

• Jerked Prairie remains under a Level 2 (Set) evacuation warning as of September 24.
• Evacuation orders for Clark Creek and Shale Creek were lifted on September 24.
• The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains closed to general public travel as of September 25, except for access up to Hot Springs Road for Elkhorn Hot Springs.
• Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest backcountry closures remain in effect as of September 24, though the area immediately adjacent to Elkhorn Hot Springs has reopened.
• Property owners inside the forest closure boundary may request access permits through the Incident Management Team as of September 22.

Conditions and Outlook

Breezy west-southwest winds are forecast to ease over the coming days, accompanied by cooler weather, improving humidity, and a chance of light drizzle over the weekend. Fire activity is expected to remain minimal. Crews plan to continue patrolling and monitoring unsecured line, clearing woody debris along roads, and completing suppression repair along contingency lines.

Cause and Context

The cause of the fire was officially classified as undetermined as of September 22. Suppression repair operations and regional closures remain coordinated alongside the adjacent Sand Creek Fire.

Official updates current through September 25, 2026.