Nature Grove

Spread halted as crews focus on suppression repair and equipment backhaul

The Nature Grove Fire is smoldering in timber litter and understory in the Skalkaho drainage south of Highway 38 and Black Bear Campground. Fire activity has remained minimal with no new perimeter growth over the last 72 hours following recent rainfall and cooler temperatures. The fire poses no threat to nearby communities as operations transition to monitoring and patrol.

Evacuations and Closures

• Forest Service Road 720 remains closed in the fire area as of September 20, 2026.
• Forest Service Road 75 has reopened as of September 20, 2026.
• Forest Service Road 711 reopened on September 15, 2026.
• No evacuation orders or warnings are in effect as of September 20, 2026.

Impact

Smoke has periodically settled into the Skalkaho drainage, but no structural damage or injuries have been reported.

Conditions and Outlook

Weather over the coming days will bring mild and mostly fair conditions, with light easterly breezes turning southerly and minimal chances of precipitation. Fire behavior is projected to remain minimal with only creeping and smoldering in interior timber. Crews plan to continue suppression repair, chip slash and debris, backhaul excess equipment, and patrol lines along Highway 38 and Forest Service roads.

Cause and Context

Lightning sparked the fire on August 23, 2026, in the Skalkaho drainage within the Bitterroot National Forest. Recent precipitation reduced regional fire danger, though steep terrain within the burn scar remains vulnerable to localized debris flows during intense rainfall.

Official updates current through September 20, 2026.