2025 Montana wildfires | |
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![]() Smoke from the Sawlog Fire on May 3 | |
Season | |
← 2024 |
There is an ongoing series of wildfires burning throughout the U.S. state of Montana.
While "fire season" in Montana varies every year based on weather conditions, most wildfires occur in between May and October. Wildfires are influenced by above-average temperatures and dry conditions that influence drought. When vegetation dries out earlier in the season, wildfires are more likely to start and spread. The leading cause of wildfires in Montana is burning debris. [1] The spread rate of wildfires is affected by the buildup of fuels. [2]
Despite a worsening drought, the number of acres burned in Montana by July 24 was significantly less than land managers expected. While there had been a similar number of starts compared to last year, (1,116 on July 21, 2025 with 1,069 one year prior), there had been significantly less area burned (92,000 acres (37,000 ha) on July 21, 2024 compared to just 17,000 acres (6,900 ha) the same time in 2025). This was mostly due to heavy-precipitation storms coming from Northwest United States. It moistened terrain, making it less favorable to fire spread. Storms hit areas that needed moisture. [3] However, officials remained the most concerned for Bitterroot Valley from forest fuels and inaccessible terrain, Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson counties due to population growth, the Central Montana grasslands due to grass fuels, and the Eastern plains due to heavy grass growth. [4] Main fire concerns are hot temperatures. [3]
Lightning caused several wildfires throughout Southwestern Montana, although several wildfires were human-caused, as well. Thunderstorms moved through areas under red flag warnings and heat advisories, starting several large wildfires (including the Horn, Bivens Creek, Cloudrest, Windy Rock, and McAllister fires). Temperatures were in excess of 90 °F, and strong thunderstorms posed threats The fires in Madison County were the most severe in terms of smoke and spread. [5] [6] [7] The Horn Fire prompted an evacuation order and closed several residential roads and a campground, [8] while the McAllister Fire prompted an evacuation warning near U.S. Route 87. [5]
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date [a] | Notes | Ref |
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Sawlog | Beaverhead | 2,030 | May 1 | May 19 | Undetermined cause. Burned 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Wisdom. Cost $2.5 million in suppression. | [10] [11] |
Wilder | Fergus | 3,450 | July 2 | July 22 | Lightning-caused. Burned 27 miles (43 km) northeast of Roy. | [12] [13] |
Tullock | Big Horn | 1,469 | August 4 | August 8 | Unknown cause. Burned 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Hardin. | [14] |
Mission Butte | Big Horn | 6,149 | August 12 | Unknown cause. Burning 3 miles (4.8 km) east of St. Xavier. | [15] | |
Summer Springs | Treasure County | 2,568 | August 13 | August 23 | Lightning-caused. Burned 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Custer. | [16] [17] |
Pony Creek | Rosebud | 1,062 | August 13 | August 15 | Lightning-caused. Burned 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Colstrip. | [18] [19] |
Horn | Madison | 2,800 | August 13 | August 22 | Lightning-caused. Burned 17 miles (27 km) northwest of West Yellowstone and prompting pre-evacuations near Madison River Ranch. | [20] [21] [22] |
Bivens Creek | Madison | 2,233 | August 13 | Unknown cause. Burning 10 miles (16 km) east of Sheridan. | [23] [24] | |
Cloudrest | Madison | 2,628 | August 14 | Lightning-caused. Burning west of Twin Bridges and prompted an evacuation warning. | [23] [25] [26] | |
Windy Rock | Powell | 2,245 | August 14 | Lightning-caused. Burning 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Drummond. | [27] | |
McAllister | Madison | 3,560 | August 16 | August 27 | Lightning-caused. Burned 4 miles (6.4 km) north of McAllister. Prompted evacuations. | [28] [29] |
Knowles | Sanders | 3,790 | August 17 | Human-caused. Burning 11 miles (18 km) east of Plains. | [30] | |
Devil Mountain | Powell | 1,650 | August 20 | Lightning-caused. Burning 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Drummond. | [31] |