Strong high pressure was the dominant weather pattern in July, which was occasionally suppressed by passing shortwaves and modest moisture for periods of scattered thunderstorms. Often times, the thunderstorm activity was followed by gusty winds and low relative humidity. Both lightning and human caused fires flourished in this environment.

Wildfire in BEAVERHEAD, MONTANA
From 08-JUL-21 12:26:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Trailside Fire was a lightning caused fire discovered near highway 43 in far northwest Beaverhead county on July 8th. The fire grew to over 31,100 acres by the end of the month and resulted the closures of numerous campgrounds, though highway 43 remained open.

Wildfire in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 11-JUL-21 12:37:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Dry cabin Fire was a lightning caused incident located in the Scapegoat/Bob Marshall Wilderness area northwest of Lincoln. Steep terrain and heavy fuels allowed this fire to quickly grow in size and become a long term incident and was being managed by a type 3 team by the end of July. The fire size was 3,000 acres and was zero percent contained, but no structures were lost due to it's remote location.

Wildfire in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 08-JUL-21 12:47:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Balsinger Fire is located near Neihart, MT and was ignited by lightning. It became a part of the Divide Complex type one incident team on July 23rd.  Pre-evacuation notices were given to the residents of the northern Belt Creek Drainage area and the town of Monarch on Sunday July 25th. The fire grew to 8511 acres by the end of the month.

Wildfire in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 08-JUL-21 11:06:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Ellis Fire was discovered in the Helena National Forest about 2.5 miles southwest of the Smith River on July 8th. It became a part of the Divide Complex type one incident team on July 23rd, and the cause is still under investigation. The fire had burned 1,227 acres by the end of the month.

Wildfire in BEAVERHEAD, MONTANA
From 08-JUL-21 10:53:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Alder Creek Fire was discovered in the north Pioneer Mountains just north of Wise River on July 8th. This fire grew to 10,300 acres and its containment effort became a top national priority as it was in close proximity to 239 homes and the Wise River Scenic Byway. It became a part of a type one incident team, which included several other fires in southwest Montana. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Wildfire in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 10-JUL-21 17:15:00 to 14-JUL-21 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Rock Creek Fire was discovered near mile marker 232 on interstate 15 on July, 10th, and its cause is still unknown.  The fire grew to 3,420 acres and resulted in at least a several hour closure of interstate 15 between Craig and Wolf Creek, along with a few other local road closures. The fire was 100 percent contained on July 14th.

Wildfire in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 10-JUL-21 12:45:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Woods Creek Fire was lightning caused fire located in the Big Belt Mountains, discovered on July 10th. It was classified as a type one incident on July 31st, and resulted in evacuations on the eastern side of the fire. It ultimately burned 55,449 acres with an estimated incident cost of $27,000,000, as of January 2022.