Fire Information- Sanders County

08/23/2026

🔥 New Start 🔥

Date: 8/22/26
Size: 7 Acres
Location: Combest Creek

A fire has started in the Combest Creek area near Plains. Currently air resources and ground resources from the DNRC, USFS, local government, and local contractors are working to suppress the fire.

Resources:
4 engines
2 heavy helicopters
1 Dozer
1 skidgine
1 tender
20 person crew is in route at this time

We ask that you please stay out of the area and let firefighters work on the fire. Please do not fly drones in the area, if a drone is seen in the area all aerial firefighting resources must be grounded. Do your part and stay out!

Stay safe Sanders County!

08/22/2026

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

🔥Cherry Peak Fire🔥 Update August 18 @3:13pm:

Size estimated at 25 acres with active fire burning upslope towards an old burn scar.

——

August 18 @ 3:08pm

Resources from the Lolo National Forest are responding to the Cherry Peak Fire on the Plains-Thompson Falls Ranger District. The fire is estimated at 10 acres, burning in steep, rugged terrain. The fire is approximately 1 mile southwest of Cherry Peak. Responding resources include two engines, two module crews, and air attack platform. A type 1 helicopter is enroute to support with a rappel crew and provide water drops. Two modules are currently working to navigate to the fire on foot.

Fire behavior includes running and single tree torching in timber. Additional air support has been requested for additional helicopters, large air tankers, SEATs, and smoke jumpers.

Fire Information- Sanders County

📸View of Cherry Peak Fire smoke column from the Thompson Airport

08/06/2026

Today and throughout the weekend Plains and all of Sanders County will be experiencing very elevated fire weather conditions.

We ask that you please act responsibly. The Lolo National Forest has entered stage two fire restrictions, and you can find information on restrictions at https://www.mtfireinfo.org/pages/restrictions

Green Diamond Timber lands are prohibiting campfires on their lands in the Thompson River drainage.

This is the time of year where firefighting resources become difficult to get due to large fires across the country. Please take the time to think about your actions especially during this time of elevated fire danger.

Stay Safe Sanders County

08/05/2026

08/03/2026

🚨 DEGRADED AIR QUALITY 🚨

🌫️ Current wildfire smoke is severely degrading air quality throughout Western Montana and North-Central Idaho, with no significant relief expected in the near term. Visibility may also be periodically reduced by the smoke, which could impact aviation operations ✈️.

Please take precautions for your health:
🛑 Limit strenuous outdoor activity.
😷 Consider wearing an N95 mask if you must go out.
🏠 When indoors, keep windows closed and utilize air conditioning and filtration systems.
📍 Track your local air quality at fire.airnow.gov

ℹ️ Local Resources:
Idaho: deq.idaho.gov/air-quality
Montana: deq.mt.gov/air