Lincoln County, Montana · Wildfire
| Metric | Last report | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size |
989 acres Aug 28, 5:00 PM
|
1,099 acres
Sep 5, 3:00 AM
+110 acres
was 989 acres · Aug 28, 5:00 PM
|
+110 acres
in 7 days
|
| Containment |
85% Sep 1, 5:00 PM
|
96%
Sep 5, 3:00 AM
+11 percent
was 85% · Sep 1, 5:00 PM
|
+11 percent
in 3 days
|
| Crew size |
77 Sep 2, 2:00 PM
|
53
Sep 5, 3:00 AM
−24
was 77 · Sep 2, 2:00 PM
|
−24
in 3 days
|
| Money spent |
$3.9M Sep 1, 5:00 PM
|
$4.2M
Sep 5, 3:00 AM
+$300,000
was $3.9M · Sep 1, 5:00 PM
|
+$300,000
in 3 days
|
Drag or zoom the map to see more fires in the area.
The Deer Creek Fire is a wildfire near Lincoln County, Montana. It has burned about 1,099 acres (about 833 football fields). Crews have boxed in 96% of its edge; the other 4% isn't contained yet. It was first reported about 2 weeks ago. About 53 people are on it, run by a Type 4 IC. We're also tracking 4 other active fires within about 75 miles.
The size and containment above are current as of Saturday, September 5th at 3:00 a.m. CDT.
Hot, dry, and windy weather can help a fire grow; cool, calm, or wet weather helps crews. The tags below rate each day for fire spread — green is calm, red can push a fire.
A general fire-weather guide (wind matters most, then how dry it is, then heat), not a prediction of what this fire will do.
Overnight
44°F · Chance Light Rain
Wind 2 mph NNW · 27% chance of rain
Saturday
70°F · Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny
Wind 3 mph NE · 42% chance of rain
Saturday Night
47°F · Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind 5 mph NNW · 75% chance of rain
Sunday
70°F · Chance Light Rain then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind 3 mph NNE · 51% chance of rain
Sunday Night
47°F · Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Light Rain Likely
Wind 3 mph NNE · 72% chance of rain
Forecast from the National Weather Service (weather.gov), pulled Saturday, September 5th at 3:01 a.m. CDT.
About 53 people are assigned to this fire, run by a Type 4 IC. The government rates it a Type 4 Incident. About $4 million has been spent on it so far.
The official feed reports the total headcount, not a breakdown by crew type.
We show the daily official picture. For minute-by-minute updates, evacuation orders, and maps, these do it best:
Within about 75 miles we're tracking 4 other active fires, closest first:
The guy who wrote this site, on a break. Summer 2026.
No college. No experience needed. You learn on the job.
Who fits:
Jobs in all 50 states, most of them out West. Most crews hire in fall and winter for the next summer. Montana has 36 open right now, 4 for beginners. See them.
Know someone who fits?
Send them a link to woodlandfirefighter.com. It explains the job and how to get hired.
Want to talk to a real wildland firefighter?
I spent summer 2026 on a Forest Service crew in Montana. Happy to answer any questions. 30-minute call, $37.
Book a 30-minute callDrop your email. Get the free guide.
Inside: the pay breakdown, a resume template, a training plan for the fitness (pack) test, and the hiring timeline.
100% free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.