Nature Grove Fire

Perimeter mapped September 2, 2026 at 7:15 PM MDT, 1,422 acres (ir image interpretation). Point of origin 46.154, -113.924.

Live radar at the fire Forecast for Hamilton

Size

1,422 acres

Containment

0%

Discovered

August 23, 2026 at 4:43 PM MDT

Cause

Natural

Location

15 Miles SE from Hamilton, MT

County

Ravalli County

State

Montana

Nearest city reported

Hamilton

Protecting agency

USFS

Jurisdiction

USFS

Land ownership at origin

USFS

Personnel assigned

18

Incident management

Type 4 IC, Type 4 Incident

Primary fuel

Timber (Litter and Understory)

Estimated cost to date

$9,250,623

Incident type

Wildfire

Unique fire identifier

2026-MTBRF-000340

IRWIN identifier

1DACBD6F-63CA-49E9-8D7B-3DBBD5BB31FF

Mapped area at the last perimeter of each day, from August 23, 2026 (228 acres) to September 8, 2026 (1,422 acres). The largest one-day growth was 305 acres, mapped August 28, 2026.

• Wind up to 3 mph from the east-southeast
• Relative humidity as low as 33%
• High of 67°F

National Weather Service hourly forecast for the fire’s point of origin, next 24 hours.

Full forecast for Hamilton, MT

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches covering the fire's point of origin.

No Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch is in force at the fire.

NOAA’s Hazard Mapping System analysts have not drawn smoke over the fire’s origin today.

NOAA’s smoke model forecasts near-surface smoke at the origin peaking at 0.3 µg/m³ around Sun, 5:00 PM MDT over the next 48 hours.

Smoke and fire layers on the radar

Posted on InciWeb, updated September 17, 2026.

The Nature Grove Fire was detected Aug. 23, 2026, at 4:44 p.m. The Nature Grove Fire, caused by lightning, was detected by a local helicopter after a smoke report was received in the Skalkaho drainage south of Black Bear campground. This fire was growing fast. Aircrews conducted water drops and retardant drops since this fire was detected. Several engines were on scene with various overhead assigned. The fire is located approximately one half mile from Black Bear Campground, south of Highway 38. There was significant smoke in the Skalkaho drainage area. This was a rapidly emerging incident. The 75 Road has reopened due to the improved conditions from recent moisture and reduced temperatures in the fire area. The 711 Road has also opened as of Sept. 15, 2026. Travelers and recreators are still advised to exercise caution when they are near the Nature Grove Fire perimeter as firefighters and heavy equipment will be traveling on nearby roads. Forest Service Road 720 remains closed. Please continue to view updates and additional information at: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverBitterrootNF

Original at InciWeb

• Hamilton, MT13 miles northwest of the fire’s origin
• Stevensville, MT26 miles north of the fire’s origin
• Lolo, MT42 miles north of the fire’s origin
• Clinton, MT44 miles north of the fire’s origin
• Anaconda, MT47 miles east of the fire’s origin
• Orchard Homes, MT49 miles north of the fire’s origin