Sawlog (MTBDF)

Wildfire Status:

The Sawlog Fire, located 15 miles northeast of Wisdom, Montana, was reported on May 1, 2025, and has since grown to encompass 1,412 acres. As of the most recent update, the fire is approximately 20% contained. Firefighters from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest are actively engaged in combating the blaze, which is primarily burning through sagebrush and Lodgepole pine timber. The terrain presents challenges due to a significant amount of dead and downed fuel on the north-facing slopes, which increases the fire's intensity and complicates firefighting efforts.

Access to the fire area has been hindered by high water conditions in the Big Hole River, a result of seasonal snowmelt. The fire is situated between the Sawlog Creek and Toomey Creek drainages, with previous burn scars from the 2021 Christensen and Alder Fires nearby, which may affect the fire’s behavior. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, although there were no prescribed burns in the vicinity around the time of the fire's ignition.

Currently, 205 personnel are assigned to the incident, working under Incident Commanders Richard Griffin and Kyle Errecart. The current weather conditions in the region are crucial to monitoring as they may impact firefighting strategies and the fire's progression. The combination of timber, sagebrush, and short grass fuels alongside the presence of numerous hazard trees poses additional threats to containment efforts. Fire agencies continue to assess the situation and adapt their response as necessary.

Visit Inciweb Incident Page for more information. Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only.

Containment History:

Fire Growth History: