UPDATE: 8-17-2025, 10:30 a.m. - The McAllister Fire is now at an estimated 3,500 acres, according to the Montana DNRC. The lightning-caused fire is burning 3 miles north of Ennis Lake and 3 miles of Norris.
There is an evacuation warning in place for all residents in the area between Bradley Creek, Shining Mountains West, and US Highway 287 (between mile markers 61 and 64). If you are living or staying in this area, please be prepared to evacuate should conditions change.
The McAlister Fire started Saturday and exhibited extreme fire behavior through the night, with large runs and tree torching. This prompted evacuation warnings for the area and closure of Highway 287 north of McAlister. Cooler temperatures and less dry conditions this morning have moderated fire behavior, allowing for the reopening of Highway 287. Residents in the area are still under an evacuation warning.
The Montana DNRC is currently managing the fire, which is burning on private, state, and BLM land. Fuels in the area are primarily open grass dotted by small clumps of trees. Crews and resources today are working to continue building a bulldozer line around the fire, further secure the edges of the fire perimeter with both dozer and handline, and utilize aviation resources to drop water on the hot spots. The forecast today is for cooler, wetter conditions, which will assist suppression operations.
Resources currently on the fire include: two type 2 helicopters, a scooper, 1 hand crew, 2 bulldozers, a grader, and numerous engines.
First responders would like to thank the local landowners for their cooperation and assistance throughout initial attack operations.
UPDATE: 8-17-2025, 6:30 a.m. - Crews continue to fight several wildfires in Madison County Sunday morning. According to the National Weather Service, today will be partly sunny, then showers are likely. The high is expected to be 82 degrees F. Tonight there's a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms, then partly cloudy.
McAllister Fire: An evacuation WARNING for the Bradley Creek, Shining Mountains West, and US Hwy 287 Mile Marker 61-64 area was issued shortly after midnight. According to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, this is not an official order of evacuation at this time. This warning is for individuals living in those areas to be prepared for evacuation if conditions change. As of Sunday morning, US 287 is open, with emergency vehicles present and a speed limit of 35 mph.
Elk Creek Fire: This fire is located east of Hwy 84 and Cherry Creek Road, near the Madison and Gallatin county lines. It was burning at 50 acres as of 7:51 p.m. on Saturday.
Bivens Creek Fire: The fire was at 2,222 acres, zero percent contained, according to the Bivens Creek InciWeb page. According to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest public information officer, the Bivens Creek Fire continues to spread and experienced active fire behavior Saturday with crowning, due to the gusty winds.
The fire continues to burn in thick subalpine fir timber with a heavy dead and downed fuel component in the Tobacco Roots Mountains on the Madison Ranger District. Smoke is visible throughout the Madison Valley.
On Saturday, firefighters prepared roads on the western flank and scouted for opportunities. An engine and crew are also on the eastern flank of the fire, scouting for opportunities. Helicopters are available to assist with water bucket drops. Additional resources are en route.
A Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) has been ordered to assist. Team members from Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 take command of the fire Sunday evening.
An infrared flight has been ordered for a more accurate perimeter size.
A special closure order for the fire area is forthcoming; please stay out of the area and allow firefighters to operate safely. In addition, there is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in effect to ensure safe firefighting aircraft operations.
Cloudrest Fire: Listed at 1,104.4 acres (8-17-25, 6 a.m.) According to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest PIO, On Saturday, the fire moved northwest of Rossiter Lake with some spotting in Willow Creek. To the east, the fire spread continued in the meadow towards the rock scree. An engine and crew are searching for opportunities and responding to spotting with the help of helicopter water bucket drops as needed. The fire is currently zero percent contained.
Horn Fire: Listed at 2,800 acres (8-17-25, 6 a.m.). Now, 50 percent contained, according to the NIFC. The emergency evacuation warning for the Horn Fire, south of Cameron, has been lifted by the Madison County Sheriff's Office effective immediately. For further questions, please contact Emergency Management at (406) 970-5950.
For anyone needing assistance in Madison County, Montana due to emergency fire evacuation notices or warnings, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS. An emergency shelter is being set up with the help of local agencies and community members
The information contained in this story comes from several sources, including the National Weather Service, Duty Watch, DNRC, Madison County Sheriff's Office, and local reporting.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Previous:
(8-16-2025) MCALLISTER — A new wildfire, dubbed the McAllister Fire, is currently forcing evacuation WARNINGS for all residents of the Bradley Creek area, per the Madison County Sheriff's Office. A WARNING WAS also issued for the Shining Mountains West Subdivision. Law enforcement will provide further instructions.
Originally called the Madison Hill Fire, at 4:33 p.m., the name was changed to "McAllister Fire."
At approximately 5:08 p.m., the fire jumped Hwy 287, near the top of Norris Hill. The highway remains closed at this time (6:10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025), and through traffic must use an alternative route, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.
This is the third wildfire reported in Madison County - other fires include the Cloudrest Fire, burning at 1,104.4 acres; the Bivens Creek Fire, burning at 1,321.8 acres and the Hold Fire at 2,990 acres.
The numbers are current as of 6:10 pm, but will change.
For the latest news, warnings, and acreage, MTN News encourages you to follow the Madison County Sheriff's Office, the Madison County Emergency Management/Fire Warden, and the Montana DNRC Facebook pages.
MORE INFO ON MADISON COUNTY FIRES:
BIVENS CREEK
The Bivens Creek Fire continues to spread and experienced active fire behavior yesterday with crowning, due to the gusty winds. The fire was last mapped at 500 acres, with fire growth and visible smoke, that size is likely larger. The fire continues to burn in thick subalpine fir timber with a heavy dead and downed fuel component in the Tobacco Roots Mountains on the Madison Ranger District. Smoke is visible throughout the Madison Valley.
Today firefighters will prepare roads on the western flank and scout for opportunities. An engine and crew are also on the eastern flank of the fire, scouting for opportunities. Helicopters are available to assist with water bucket drops. Additional resources are enroute. A Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) has been ordered to assist. Team members from Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 [facebook.com] take command of the fire tomorrow evening.
CLOUDREST
The Cloudrest Fire also had fire growth yesterday due to conditions, was last mapped at 500 acres and expected to be larger. To the west, fire moved northwest of Rossiter Lake with some spotting in Willow Creek. To the east, fire spread continued in the meadow towards the rock scree. An engine and crew are searching for opportunities and responding to spotting with the help of helicopter water bucket drops as needed.
The fire weather forecast includes a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon with temperatures in the low 80s. Afternoon westerly winds could range 7 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
An infrared flight has been ordered for both fires for a more accurate perimeter size.
A special closure order for the fire area is forthcoming; please stay out of the area and allow firefighters to operate safely. In addition, there is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in effect to ensure safe firefighting aircraft operations.
