Nature Grove Fire (MT)
Satellite image: NASA MODIS (infrared — active fire in orange/red, from yesterday).
Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).
Quick facts
- Location
- 15 Miles SE from Hamilton, MT
- Personnel
- 52
- Complexity
- Type 4 Incident
- Fuel
- Timber (Litter and Understory)
- Behavior
- Moderate, Flanking, Backing
- Jurisdiction
- USFS · Federal land
Burning across timber, litter, and understory on federal land overseen by the USFS, the active Nature Grove Fire has scorched 300 acres since it started on August 23, 2026. The incident, located 15 miles southeast of Hamilton, Montana, in Ravalli County, has exhibited moderate, flanking, and backing fire behavior over its two days of burning, averaging about 150 acres per day.
Satellites have detected seven heat signatures over the last 48 hours around the 300-acre perimeter, mapping the spread of the incident. Managing the Type 4 incident is a Type 3 Team utilizing 52 personnel, with costs reaching $150,000 as the fire remains zero percent contained.
This event occurs within a broader regional context where the typical fire season spans from June to October. Nationally, 3,005,648 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking a figure that is 45% below the two-decade average.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in Montana for 2 days. So far it has affected roughly 300 acres — about 1.2 km². Crews report no containment yet, so the fire can still spread.
In the Northern Hemisphere, wildfire activity usually peaks during the warm, dry months — roughly May through October.
The bigger picture in United States
Across United States, roughly 3,005,648 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 45% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.
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Community reports
Reports from people near the fire · unverified
Not official emergency information. In an emergency, contact fire services/authorities.
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