Sand Creek

Containment lines hold after rainfall as crews focus on suppression repair

The Sand Creek Fire is burning southeast of Wisdom in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The fire perimeter held steady over the last 72 hours with no new growth following recent rainfall, allowing crews to expand containment lines. Fire activity remains minimal and confined to interior fuels, with no immediate threat to nearby communities as suppression repair expands.

Evacuations and Closures

• A Level 2 'Set' evacuation warning remains in place for Jerked Prairie (September 18).
• Evacuation orders for the Clark Creek and Shale Creek areas were lifted (September 18).
• The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains closed to public traffic for emergency operations (September 21).
• Bureau of Land Management parcels in the fire area remain closed, though the Farlin Creek Wilderness Study Area has reopened (September 18).
• State land closures remain in effect south of the fire and north of the Clark Creek Trailhead (September 18).
• Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest area closures surrounding the incident remain in effect (September 21).

Conditions and Outlook

Winds from the south and west will bring increased cloud cover and a chance of light drizzle through midweek before drier conditions return. Fire behavior is expected to remain minimal with smoldering in interior timber litter. Crews will continue mopping up remaining heat in the Hooligan Creek area and repairing suppression lines across Grasshopper Valley and along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.

Cause and Context

The fire was determined to be caused by lightning. Suppression and closure efforts remain coordinated with operations on the nearby Bobcat Lakes Fire.

Official updates current through September 21, 2026.