Nature Grove Fire Reaches 676 Acres East of Hamilton, Montana

Overview

• The Nature Grove Fire, which grew to 676 acres on Thursday, is burning southeasterly about a half mile from Black Bear Campground and roughly a mile south of Highway 38.
• Incident command has committed about 116 personnel along with engines, a Hotshot crew, a Type 2 crew, dozers, four helicopters and a Blackhawk to hold the western flank and defend structures.
• Ravalli County issued Evacuation Warnings for residents east of the 1800 block on Skalkaho Highway and a community briefing was scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday in Hamilton to explain operations and evacuation guidance.
• Firefighters report group torching, spotting, uphill runs and flanking in timber and understory, and forecasts of low humidity and thunderstorms with 35–45 mph outflow winds could increase fire activity.
• A nearby 10‑acre Bear Gulch fire was secured with handline and dozer line and moved into mop‑up, while steep terrain and limited road access are keeping crews reliant on helicopters, water‑scoopers and indirect fuel breaks.