09/06/2026
Great progress yesterday.
🔥Rattlesnake Complex Fire Update | 9/6🔥
DNRC County Assist Team, Incident Commander David Hamilton
Location: 23 miles southeast of Terry and 30 miles east of Miles City
Start Date: 9/02/2026 Cause: Lightning/Natural
Size: Snow Fire: 13,957 acres Ayers Pond Fire: 593 acres Pine Creek Fire: 933 acres
Containment: Snow Fire: 38% Ayers Pond Fire: 92% Pine Creek Fire: 51%
235 Total Personnel; 15 Engines, 4 Handcrews, 3 Helicopters, 4 Dozers, 2 Road Graders
CURRENT STATUS
The Pine Creek and Ayers Pond fires have largely transitioned to mop-up operations. Crews are working up to 200 feet into the interior of the fire, turning over smoldering debris and applying water to extinguish remaining hot spots and strengthen containment. In addition, dozers are beginning suppression repair
of contingency lines that are no longer needed.
On the western flank of the Snow Fire, crews completed a half-acre burn operation, burning pockets of unburned vegetation between the narrow fingers of fire, creating a more continuous and secure edge. In total, crews completed six miles of control line using a combination of handline, firing operations, preexisting line, and natural features. Today, crews will continue working south along the fire’s edge, building handline and cold trailing the perimeter by carefully checking the ground for residual heat.
On the eastern side of the Snow Fire, resources will begin suppression repair on contingency lines that are no longer needed for active suppression. This involves pulling displaced soil and berms back across the dozer lines, restabilizing disturbed ground. Resource Advisors (READs) are on site to identify repair needs to reduce impacts.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Mostly sunny conditions are expected today, with temperatures reaching the mid-90s and relative humidity around 36 percent. Light northeast winds are forecast through much of the day, with an increasing chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and a 25 percent chance of wetting rain this evening.
EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
There are currently no evacuation orders or road closures in effect. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through their local county notification system in case conditions change.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Do not fly drones or other unmanned aircraft near the fire, as they can interfere with firefighting aircraft and put pilots at risk.
Motorists traveling along Highway 12 should use caution and give fire personnel and emergency vehicles plenty of room.
