Bradshaw

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Bradshaw Fire ignited on May 27, 2026. It is located approximately 35 miles southwest of Broadus in Powder River County, Montana, burning across private, state, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.
Size and Containment: As of May 30, 2026, the fire is reported to be between 2,650 and 2,690 acres. Official containment is currently listed at 0%, though the Broadus Volunteer Fire Department reports that the fire has been "corralled" and is acting significantly tamer.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire is burning in timber, brush, pine, juniper, grass, and sagebrush. Upon ignition, the fire exhibited moderate to active fire behavior, driven by erratic winds that caused wind-driven runs, flanking, single tree torching, and short-range spotting.
Containment Efforts: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) County Assist Team, led by Incident Commander David Hamilton, assumed command of the fire on the evening of May 28. There are currently 108 personnel assigned to the incident. Resources are implementing a safe, aggressive full-suppression strategy using direct and indirect attack tactics. Ground crews are constructing direct lines around the fire perimeter and conducting mop-up operations. Additionally, a coordinated aerial assault utilizing large aerial tankers based out of Rapid City Regional Airport has provided critical water drops to support ground efforts.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place for the Bradshaw Fire.
Evacuation Warnings: There are no evacuation warnings at this time.
Curfew: No curfews have been announced.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Because there are no active evacuations, no evacuation shelters have been established, and there is no estimated number of people displaced or impacted.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• There are currently no reported road or infrastructure closures associated with the fire.
• There are no school closures reported.
• A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Residents and visitors are reminded that unauthorized drone (UAS) flights pose serious risks to firefighters and will immediately suspend all aerial firefighting efforts.

For more information on evacuations and road closures, visit:

• Montana DNRC Wildfire Dashboard
• Powder River County Official Website
• Inciweb - National Incident Information System

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Bradshaw Fire.
Structures Impacted: There are currently no reports of structures or key infrastructure damaged, destroyed, or threatened by the fire.
School and Business Closures: No school or business closures have been reported.
Notable Impacts: No notable people, structures, or community impacts have been reported at this time.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: There are no reported power outages due to the fire.
Water Safety: No water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: While no specific burn bans have been issued exclusively for this incident, the region is experiencing extremely dry conditions. Residents should exercise extreme caution and consult local authorities for any active fire restrictions in Powder River County.
Air Quality: Smoke from the fire may affect local air quality. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, should monitor conditions, stay indoors if smoke becomes heavy, and mitigate health risks by keeping windows closed.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters expect to continue direct line construction and mop-up operations today. The primary focus is on securing the perimeter and addressing pockets of unburned fuel left within the fire lines. With burnout operations nearly complete and fire behavior calming, crews project steady progress toward official containment over the coming days.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Firefighters have been battling hot and dry conditions, with temperatures reaching the low 90s and erratic wind gusts up to 30 mph. However, a significant shift in weather is expected. A storm system is forecast to arrive on Saturday, May 30, and linger into Monday. This system is expected to bring widespread precipitation and increasingly likely chances of wetting rain, which will greatly assist suppression and containment efforts.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The exact cause of the Bradshaw Fire has not been officially determined and remains under investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme climate and weather conditions are playing a major role in the 2026 fire season. Montana is facing a potentially historic wildfire season driven by one of the driest winters on record, below-average snowpack, and unusually warm spring temperatures. While early spring moisture caused robust grass growth, these fuels have rapidly dried out, creating highly flammable tinder. In Powder River County, persistent drought and high winds have caused wildfires to ignite easily and spread much quicker than is normal for this time of year.

For more information, visit:

• Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)
• Watch Duty Wildfire Map
• Inciweb Incident Information System