Author: dlallen

2026
INTERAGENCY
FIRE BRIEFING GUIDE

B-D Central East

B-D North East

B-D South East

B-D Central West

B-D North West

B-D South West

Dillon Interagency Dispatch
Phone: 406-683-3975
email: mtddc@firenet.gov

*
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has Ranger District offices in Dillon, Ennis, Wisdom, Wise River, Phillipsburg, Butte and Whitehall. The Forest Supervisor's Office is located in Dillon. Dillon Helitack is located in Wise River during summer months then in Dillon rest of the year.
Printing Instructions:
Print on both sides, short edge, landscape, booklet

Fire Briefing Guide Table of Contents	2
Name/Position/Phone Number Directories:
* Beaverhead Deerlodge Supervisors Office	3
* Dillon Dispatch & Dillon Ranger District	4
* Wisdom Ranger District & Wise River Helitack	5
* Butte Ranger District & Madison Ranger District	6
* Pintler Ranger District & Anaconda Job Corp	7
* DNRC—Dillon & Anaconda Units	8
* BLM - Butte & Dillon Field Offices Directory	9
* Fish, Wildlife & National Park Service	10
Dillon Dispatch Objectives & SOP’s	12
Dillon Dispatching & Expectations	13
Dillon Dispatching Expectations Cont. & Ordering	14
Aircraft Ordering & Demobilization Procedures	15
Dillon Dispatch Emergency Procedures	16
Medical Incident Report (8-Line)	17
Aviation Procedures	18
Aviation Program Overview	19
Aviation Program Overview Cont.	20
B-D Aviation Resources Locations	21
B-D Helipad Locations	22
Retardant Use on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge	23
Standard Procedures For Declaring Fires to Patrol Status	24
Fire Danger Operating Area Map	25
Fire Danger Operating Plan Information	26
Pocket Cards	26
RAWS Station Locations Map	27
NFDRS Study Area Synopsis	28-35
Beaverhead-Deerlodge District Repeater Sites Map	36

B-D FOREST SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE
420 BARRETT STREET OFFICE: 406-683-3900
DILLON, MT 59725
Directory Office/Cell
Forest Sup Corey Lewellen (Acting) 406 683-3978
Corey.lewellen@usda.gov 406 422-3847
Deputy Forest Sup Nate Gassmann (Acting)
Nathan.gassman@usda.gov 406 490-4605
Forest FMO Joe Sampson 406 683-3955
joseph.sampson@usda.gov 406 491-0884
Deputy FFMO Eric Riener 406 683-3923
Eric.riener@usda.gov 406 396-0724
Forest FAO Bert Smith 406 660-7371 Bertram.smith@usda.gov
RX Fire & Fuels Greg Schenk 406 925-2109
gregory.schenk@usda.gov
Incident Business Asheli Racicot
Asheli.racicot@usda.gov 406 502-8205
Forest Fire PIO Terina Hill 406 865-0941 Terina.hill@usda.gov
Forest Training Officer Jason Wiloughby Jason.willoughby@usda.gov 406 490-6761
Anaconda Job Corp Monica Thomas 406 563-8711
AFMO monica.thomas@usda.gov
Forest Safety Officer VACANT
Forest Prevent. Officer Matt Nelson 406 683-3922
matthew.l.nelson@usda.gov 406 865-0379
Forest Fire Planner Richard Reneau 406 683-3911
Richard.reneau@usda.gov 406 493-5799

DILLON INTERAGENCY DISPATCH CENTER
420 BARRETT STREET DISPATCH: 406-683-3975
DILLON, MT 59725 Email: mtddc@firenet.gov
Directory Office/Cell
Center Manager Claire Smith 406 683-3992
claire.smith@usda.gov 406 660-2998
Assist Center Mgr. Alex Horton 406 683-3939
Alexander.Horton@usda.gov
IA /Aircraft Dispatcher Jason Mickelson 406 683-3827
IA/Aircraft Dispatcher Victoria Curtis 406 683-3942
IA Dispatcher Ella Hoffman (DNRC) 406 683-3872
IA Dispatcher Kay Finwall 406 683-3991
IA Dispatcher Sage Stewart 406 683 -3986
IA Dispatcher Trina Lenmark (DNRC) 406 638-3976
IA Dispatcher Kena Sampson (seasonal) 406 683-3968
Expanded Dispatch mtddc_expanded@firenet.gov 406 683-3875

DILLON RANGER DISTRICT—D1
420 BARRETT STREET OFFICE: 406-683-3900
DILLON, MT 59725
Fire Directory Office/Cell
District Ranger Sara Rouse 406 683-3988
Sara.rouse@usda.gov 406 274-2105
DFMO Aaron Knudson 406 683-3983
aaron.knudson@usda.gov 775 846-3056
AFMO Chris Hinkey 406 865-0189
christopher.hinkey@usda.gov 406 865-0189
Fuels AFMO Colter Dickinson 406 683-3911
Colter.dickinson@usda.gov 406 291-5960

WISDOM /WISE RIVER DISTRICT- D3
WISDOM RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE: 406-689-3243
300 FOREST SERVICE RD. FAX: 406-689-3245
PO BOX 238
WISDOM, MT 59761
WISE RIVER WORK CENTER OFFICE: 406-832-3178
6560 MONTANA HWY 43 FAX: 406-832-3311
PO BOX 100
WISE RIVER, MT 59762
Cell service is minimal to non-existent in the Wisdom or Wise River area.
Fire Directory Office/Cell
District Ranger Kristin Thompson 406 689-3234 kristen.thompson@usda.gov 406 210-7185
Zone FMO Richard Griffin 406-689-
richard.griffin@usda.gov 406-925-1951
AFMO operations Ian Quist 406 689-3243
Ian.quist@usda.gov 406 410-8527
AFMO fuels Donovan Suko 406 689-3243
Donovon.suko@usda.gov 406 544-9562

WISE RIVER HELITACK
6560 MONTANA HWY 43 OFFICE: 406-832-3178
WISE RIVER, MT, 59762 FAX: 406-832-3311
Fire Directory Office/Cell
Helicopter Prg. Mgr. Randy Gilbert 406 832-3194 randy.j.gilbert@usda.gov 406 925-3779
Ass’t Heli Prg Mgr. Nick Plovanic 406 832-3194
nicholas.plovanic@usda.gov 406 366-0179
Squad Leader Noah Criner 406 832-3194
noah.criner@usda.gov 406 224-0546
Squad Leader Chris Hall 406 832-3194
christopher.hall2@usda.gov 406 925-3289
Squad Leader Kishen Soni 406 832-3194
Kishen.soni@usda.gov 864 602-9484

BUTTE/JEFFERSON DISTRICT—D4
BUTTE RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE: 406 494-2147
1820 MEADOWLARK FAX: 406 494-0269
BUTTE, MT 59701
Whitehall Work Center OFFICE: 406 287-3084
602 1/2 West Legion
WHITEHALL, MT. 59759
Fire Directory Office/Cell
Butte District Tim Lahey 406 494-0250 Ranger timothy.lahey@usda.gov 406 465-6854
Jefferson Kevin Smith 406 494-0215
Zone FMO kevin.j.smith@usda.gov 406 491-0202
AFMO operations Shane Martin 406 494-0228
shane.martin@usda.gov 406 533-9162
AFMO Fuels Scott Drake 406 494-0252
scott.drake@usda.gov 406 459-8579
MADISON RANGER DISTRICT—D6
5 FOREST SERVICE ROAD OFFICE: 406 682-4253
ENNIS, MT 59729 FAX: 406 682-4233
Fire Directory Office/Cell
District Ranger Josh Connors 406 682-4253
Joshua.connors@usda.gov 406 370-3787
DFMO Jim King 406 641-2355
james.king@usda.gov 406 925-3802
AFMO operations Kyle Errecart 406 641-2379
kyle.errecart@usda.gov 406 499-6009
AFMO fuels Chris Hericks 406 641-2380
Christopher.e.hericks@usda.gov 406 865-0269

PINTLER RANGER DISTRICT - D8
88 BUSINESS LOOP OFFICE: 406 859-3211
PHILIPSBURG, MT 59858 FAX: 406 859-3689
Fire Directory Office/Cell
District Ranger Cameron Rasor 406 859-3211 cameron.rasor@usda.gov 406 491-0351
DFMO Jerod Russell 406 859-3211 jerod.russell@usda.gov 208 946-6803
AFMO operations Josh Hansen 406 859-3211
josh.hansen@usda.gov 406 925-0302
AFMO fuels Matt LaTray 406 859-3211
matthew.latray@usda.gov 406 865-0452

ANACONDA JOB CORPS
1384 FOSTER CREEK ROAD OFFICE 406 563-8700
ANACONDA, MT 59711
Fire Directory Office/Cell
AFMO Monica Thomas 406 563-8711
monica.thomas@usda.gov 406 546-0695
Hand crew Supervisor VACANT 406 563-8711
Support Services Carrie Meyer Wolfe 406 563-8749
carrie.meyerwolfe@usda.gov 406 560-7889
Camp Crew Coordinator Dawn Pozega 406 563-8711

DILLON DNRC - CES
730 NORTH MONTANA ST. OFFICE: 406 683-6305
DILLON, MT 59725 FAX: 406 683-4041
Fire Directory Office/Cell
CLO AFMO Bob Culbreth 406 683- 6305
Bob.culbreth@mt.gov 406 465-6753
Unit Manager VACANT 406 925-7074
Unit Fire Supervisor Jay Lemon 406 925-7071
jlemon@mt.gov 406 491-8530
Unit Assist Fire Sup Kyle Rawson 406 925-7076
kyle.rawson@mt.gov 406 925-1548
Preparedness/Prevent VACANT

ANACONDA DNRC—SWS
1300 MAGUIRE RD OFFICE: 406-563-6078
ANACONDA, MT 59711 FAX: 406-563-8255
Fire Directory Office/Cell
Unit Manager Craig Hansen 406 563-6078
chanson@mt.gov 406 498-0046
Unit Fire Supervisor Marquis Walker 406 563-6078
Marquis.walker@mt.gov 406 788-3148
Unit Assist Fire Sup Dakota Crowe 406 563-6078
Dakota.crowe@mt.gov 406 565-8098
Fire Team Leader VACANT
GARRISON STATION (SUMMER) 406 846-1950

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
BUTTE FIELD OFFICE OFFICE: 406 533-7600
106 NORTH PARKMONT
BUTTE, MT 59701
Fire Directory Office/Cell
District Manager Katie Stevens 406 533-7629
kasteven@blm.gov 406 560-7967
Field Manager Lindsey Babcock 406 533-7630
lbabcock@blm.gov 509 994-3522
FMO Brad Bergman 406 896-2940
bbergman@blm.gov 715 617-2738
Fire Planner Paul Diaz 406 533-7634
pdiaz@blm.gov 406 565-1536
Fuels Specialist Greg Campbell 406 533-7608
gcampbel@blm.gov 406 490-0548
Fuels Specialist Jonathan White 406 533-7600
jwhite@blm.gov 406 490-0587
Mit ED/Tresspass Cody Phillips
cphillips@blm.gov 406 570-4992
DILLON FIELD OFFICE OFFICE: 406 683-8000
1005 SELWAY DRIVE
DILLON, MT 59725
Fire Directory Office/Cell
Field Manager Amanda James 406 683-8023
ajames@blm.gov 480 268-1775
Asst. Field Manager Corey Meyer cmeyer@blm.gov 406 596-1303
Fire Mgt Specialist Jonathan Clark 406 683-8047
jclark2@blm.gov 406 560-5634
Fuels Specialist Rusty Butler 406 683-8000 rbulter@blm.gov 406 208-5425

US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
RED ROCKS LAKES WILDLIFE REFUGE
27650 B SOUTH VALLEY ROAD
LIMA, MT 59739
Fire Directory Office/Cell
Refuge Manager Contact 406 276-3536

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
GRANT KOHRS RANCH
266 WARREN LANE
DEERLODGE, MT 59722
Fire Directory Office/Cell
Superintendent 406 846-2070
BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
MT HWY 43
WISDOM, MT 59761
Fire Directory Office/Cell
Manager 406 689-3155

DILLON INTERAGNECY DISPATCH CENTER & STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
Dillon Interagency Dispatch Center Objectives
Provide a single reporting point and information center for all incidents occurring on or threatening State, BLM and/or B-D National Forest lands within BDF and State fire protection.
Assure that incidents are staffed utilizing the closest forces concept in the most efficient and safest manner possible.
Provide dispatching services that are sensitive to the different protection boundaries as dictated by the land management allocation and in compliance with management objectives.
Provide travel coordination for fire and fire-related training, along with the scheduling of administrative flights for the forest throughout the year.
Dillon Interagency Dispatch Operation:
Location: 420 BARRETT STREET
DILLON, MT. 59725
Directions from Interstate-15:
Take the South Dillon exit (Dillon has 2 exits), head east on Atlantic Steet
Turn right on Barrett Street.
Dispatch office is on the east side of the building
Office Hours:
5-day staffing (Monday –Friday) 0800-1630
7-day staffing, 0800-1800 or as fire activity dictates
Hours may vary due to necessity and will be extended as needed during high fire activity, and dispatch may be staffed 24 hours/day during some periods.
The main dispatch phone, 683-3975,
After hours: above phone number is forwarded to an on call dispatcher .
CHECK WITH DISTRICT DISPATCH/FIRE STAFF TO CONFIRM THEIR DAYS/HOURS OF OPERATION

Dispatching
Initial attack and extended attack dispatching is centralized and managed by the Interagency Dispatch Center in Dillon. The Interagency Dispatch Center maintains the responsibility to coordinate use of a Type 3 helicopter, helitack and scheduling of air patrol. All resources on Type 3-5 wildland fires will be informed of the name of the assigned Incident Commander and any changes in incident command leadership.
Initial attack dispatching will be done by the Interagency Dispatch Center. Initial attack dispatching for wildland fires reported in areas where wildland fire multi objectives for resource benefits is approved will be determined through discussions by the respective FMO and the District Ranger and utilizing WFDSS.
If a situation occurs where one or more districts or the Interagency Dispatch Center becomes overloaded due to multiple ignitions or a major wildland fire, an Expanded Dispatch Support Organization will be set up either at the SO to organize and implement service and support functions or an off site location. The Dispatch Center Manager or Assistant Center Manager has the responsibility to coordinate and oversee these Expanded Dispatch Support Operations.
When a Complex Incident Management Team,(CIMT) or a Wildland Fire Management Team is ordered or mobilized for wildland fire(s) on the Forest, the appropriate Expanded Dispatch Support Organization will be activated. The appropriate support organization will remain operational through demobilization of those incident(s).
Expectations
Upon arrival please check in with the Dispatch Floor Lead. An inbrief will be given to you along with B-D radio frequency guide and inbrief packet. Please notify dispatch of your engine or personal call sign, and after hours contact #
If you are a field resource, be prepared to camp out (tent, sleeping bag, and personal gear bag) If you are staying in a motel, you must take your belongings with you each day. There is no guarantee you will be back to the same location every night. This is strictly dependent upon where the activity is in the area. Make sure you let dispatch know what motel you are staying at for after hour’s dispatches.
Be respectful and courteous in and around the communities. You are a reflection of this organization while working here.

Any criminal activity or disturbances will be investigated and can result in immediate release and/or possible law enforcement action.
It is your responsibility to keep track of your time on an OF-288 (red dog), it must be signed by fire staff prior to your release. The fire staff at the unit you are assigned will program your radio.
All resources are expected to be at a daily briefing unless on a fire.
Starting July 1st, Fire Weather is broadcast via radio daily at 1030. Fire Weather is repeated at 1530. District Resources line up are due by 1000 to DDC.
Upon checking in, the unit’s FMO or DO will ask and document your last days off to ensure that work/rest guidelines are being met.
**When in the dispatch/office areas, be respectful of personal space, desks, computers, and phones. Computers, phones, and workspace to do administrative duties are available upon request. **
Ordering
Order resources by type not by name requesting. For example, order a Type 6 engine, do not order E-611. Be specific in what you want (numbers, types, sizes, etc.) Be specific and realistic on the date and time resources/supplies are needed. Ordering early will help ensure your needs can be met. Consolidate your orders the best you can to eliminate numerous trips to your fire. Give good directions to the reporting site. For requests that are unusual or unique, provide a justification.
For meals, plan on being self-sufficient for at least the first 24-48 hours. When ordering meals, order at least a meal ahead (i.e.: in the morning order for dinner.) Don’t forget to plan for incoming resources.
The use of cellular and satellite phones are authorized and can actually reduce radio traffic during critical times. However, cellular and satellite phones should only be used to communicate logistical requests, resource orders and for confirmation of previous transmissions. Cellular phones will not be used to communicate tactical information, fire reports or weather updates. Those items are key tactical information to be transmitted via the radio to ensure everyone is informed in a timely manner and made aware of the situation(s).

Aircraft Ordering
When ordering aircraft for your incident, clearly state any threats (primary residences, secondary residences, outbuildings, communication sites, resource concerns, and known hazards etc.). This will determine resource allocation and assist with setting priorities.
Aircraft assigned to your incident will flight follow with dispatch until positive communications are made with the incident. At that time dispatch may have the aircraft flight follow locally with the incident. It is the IC’s responsibility to notify dispatch when aircraft arrive on scene and are in contact. It is also the IC’s responsibility to notify dispatch when aircraft are departing the incident. This is extremely important when helicopters are leaving your incident and going to a dip site without a dip site manager. This will enable a smooth transition for handing off the flight following responsibilities.
Demobilization
Notify dispatch in advanced of the planned demob of resources on your fire to facilitate reassignments in a timely manner.
Notify dispatch when resources are leaving the incident and provide an ETA to their destination.
The IC is responsible for closing out with resources (signing shift tickets, timesheets, and completing inspections).
BDF IC packets and fireman’s reports are to be completed by the IC and turned in to the local fire staff upon return from an incident.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The nearest Flight for Life helicopters are located in Butte, MT. Missoula, MT, Bozeman, MT or Idaho Falls, ID, depending on location on the Forest. Immediately contact dispatch for any medical emergencies. If there is any question as to the severity of the injuries, order a medevac through dispatch. For further instructions on medevac procedures see the following pages.
Dillon Interagency Dispatch Office coordinates all medevac operations associated within the Dillon Division. Agency of the victim(s) will determine which Agency takes the lead. Field going personnel must be made aware that the initial request for medical assistance should be made through Dillon Dispatch via the Forest radio net. If for any reason the requesting party does not get a response from Dillon Dispatch, the individual should immediately call 911.
On the initial broadcast the requesting unit should:
Ask dispatch to declare an EMERGENCY MEDICAL INCIDENT and request that non-emergency radio traffic be suspended.
Provide the name of the MEDICAL INCIDENT COMMANDER.
The requesting unit should be prepared to provide the information included on the B-D National Forest Emergency Field Medical Incident Size-up Form. The responding office should immediately be prepared to copy the information on to their copy of the Medical Incident Size-up form. If the requesting field unit does not have a copy of the form the responding office should be prepared to prompt the IC for the necessary information.
Once the initial request for assistance has been made all attempts should be made to maintain consistency throughout the process. Radio contacts on both ends should also remain the same. The office that initiates the Medevac process with EMS should continue until the operation is completed.

MEDICAL PROCEDURES

AVIATION PROCEDURES
Dillon Interagency Dispatch Office (call sign: Dillon Dispatch) or a station approved by the dispatch office before the flight begins. If contact is lost and communications cannot be re-established, the flight will be terminated at the nearest location where reliable ground communication can be established. Standard flight following procedures requires 15-minute check-in either using AFF or radio for all mission flights. Certain point-to-point flights may be conducted with pilot submission of an FAA flight plan. The Chief of Party should check with Dillon Dispatch to determine communication needs prior to the scheduled flight.
All dispatching and flight following of aircraft is coordinated by Dillon Dispatch. The B-D National Forest Aviation Hazard Map is updated annually. You are encouraged to stop by the Dillon Dispatch Center and review the map or call for QR code,prior to commencing flight operations.
Latitude-Longitude Procedures
All Aviation operations on the B-D National Forest will use the Degrees/ Decimal/Minutes format in WGS 84 datum.
Airspace Restrictions
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) shall be coordinated through the appropriate dispatch centers and the Geographic Area Coordination Centers (FSM 5715).
The Fire Traffic Area (FTA) will be in effect during initial and extended attack. Coordination of the FTA airspace will be the responsibility of appropriate aerial supervision.
**In the absence of aerial supervision, and until an appropriate Incident Commander is on scene, Dillon Dispatch shall be the point of contact for aerial operations in the FTA.
Requests for airspace restrictions over wildland fires will be processed through Dillon Dispatch. Airspace coordination shall be in accordance with the Interagency Airspace Coordination Guide.
*** All aviation incidents and accidents will be reported to the Dispatch Center immediately to ensure the proper procedures are implemented. A Safecom will be required and a copy provided to the Forest Aviation Officer within 24 hours of the incident.***

Aviation Program Overview
Regional aviation resources include contract, rental, and Forest Service (FS) owned or leased aircraft. The primary mission of these aircraft is wildland fire suppression. Mission support aircraft include air tankers, lead-planes, helicopters, smokejumper/par cargo, fire-detection, and passenger transportation aircraft. Other missions include, but are not limited to, support for various land management activities such as prescribed burns, forest health protection, aerial photography, law enforcement, and search/rescue operations. The Northern Region participates in military intercept training exercises in support of Department of Homeland Security tactical fighters.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest aviation resources include contract, rental (CWN), and occasional use of Forest Service owned (WCF) aircraft.
The Dillon Interagency Dispatch Center (DDC) provides initial attack and support services for the Beaverhead- Deerlodge National Forest, Butte District Bureau Land Management including Dillon Field Office and Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC), Dillon Unit and Anaconda Unit Additionally, the Center provides support dispatch services for Beaverhead,,Madison, Silverbow, Powel , Granite, Jefferson and Deerlodge Counties via the Sub Geo (6 party agreement).
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is part of the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). This area encompasses the Gallatin N.F., Yellowstone N.P., Custer N.F., Grand Teton N.F., Caribou-Targhee N.F., Beaverhead-Deerlodge N.F. and the Bridger Teton N.F for fire suppression activities. Agreements are in place for cooperation and sharing of resources in the GYA. Cooperative agreements allow for the use of aviation resources to cross-jurisdictional boundaries to assist in suppression activities.
The Montana/Dakotas BLM office with Billings Dispatch manages the West Yellowstone Air Center and all GYA cooperators may request resources. The Air Center is host to the Smokejumper Base.
The Caribou-Targhee and BLM manage the Pocatello Air Tanker base and exclusive-use helicopter for east Idaho. These resources can be used by GYA members.

SEAT operations can be set up at the Twin Bridges, Airport. The 220 will give the information on available air resources and their locations.
Minimize the number of helispots. Use natural openings to avoid constructing or improving helispots and sling sites. Avoid designating or constructing helispots for logistical support only. Consider utilizing longline/remote hook for delivery and retrieval of equipment and supplies. Naturalize helispots before abandoning.
Air Attack/Lead Plane/ASM
You are responsible for informing dispatch when all aviation resources arrive and depart the scene, and for relaying all pertinent travel or status information (i.e. ETE, ETA, load & return, load & hold, released, etc.), if aerial supervision is not in place.
Dispatch will coordinate with the aerial supervision platform regarding other aircraft being dispatched to the same general vicinity.
A more complete aviation briefing package and briefing will be given to aviation managers.
Emergency Procedures
Closest Medevac/Life-Flight helicopters are located in Butte, MT, Missoula, MT, Bozeman, MT and in Idaho Falls, ID. Immediately contact dispatch for any medical emergencies. Follow medical protocols in guide for emergency procedures.
The medevac hospital and Life-Flight frequency is Tan 155.340 and White-155.280

Aviation Resource Locations
Airports with Services
Dillon is where the Supervisors’ Office for the Forest is located and is positioned along I-15 in the heart of southwestern Montana. The Dillon District covers the south-central portion of the Forest. Dillon airport (DLN) is 4 miles northeast of town, off Hwy 41, and offers fuel services, hangar facility, and staffed FBO 24/7.
Butte is 64 miles from Dillon (I-15 N to I-90 E) and covers the north-central part of the Forest. Butte has the most to offer with lodging, restaurants, shopping, and car rentals. The Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) is located at the southern end, off the South Harrison exit, and offers full services with fuel services, hangar facilities, aircraft repair, commercial air travel, and flight information with weather and NOTAMS.
Ennis is 75 miles northeast of Dillon (Hwy 41 N to 287 E). The Madison District covers the east end of the Forest. The Ennis-Big Sky Airport (EKS) is located southeast of town, off Hwy 287, offering fuel services and hangars.
Twin Bridges is 28 miles north of Dillon (Hwy 41 N), covering the east-central portion of the Forest. The Twin Bridges Airport (7S1) can be accessed by county roads east-southeast of town, offering fuel services and aircraft repair facilities.
Airports/airstrips without Services.
Anaconda is 79 miles north-northwest of Dillon (I-15 N / I-90 W to Hwy 1 W), covering the northwest-central part of the Forest. Bowman Field Airport (3U3) is located off Hwy 48 northeast of town.
Deer Lodge is 93 miles north of Dillon (I-15 N to I-90 W), covering the north end of the Forest. Deer Lodge-city-county Airport (38S) is located at the west end of town.
Dell is located 40 miles south of Dillon (I-15 S), covering the south end of the Forest. The Dell Airstrip (4U9) has access from a county road west of the Dell exit off I-15.
Lakeview is 106 miles southeast of Dillon (I-15 S and MT 509 E), covering the south-east end of the Forest. Metzel Creek Airport (MT47) is turf and privately owned by the USDI, located at the other side of Lower Red Rock Lake northwest of town.
Philipsburg is 110 miles north-northwest of Dillon (I-15 N, to I-90 W, and Hwy 1 N). The Pintler District covers the north-west end of the Forest. Riddick Field Airport (U05) is located along Hwy 1 at the western end of the town.
Wisdom is 65 miles west of Dillon (Hwy 278 W) and covers the west end of the Forest. The Wisdom airstrip (7S4) is a turf runway, along Hwy 278, south of town.
Wise River is 65 miles northwest of Dillon (I-15 N to Hwy 43 W) and covers the west-central area of the Forest. The airport (02T) is a dirt runway, located along the Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway, southwest of the town.

B-D Helipad Locations
Dillon: Dillon has a secured helipad located at the Dillon Airport, west of the runway. 45° 15.11’ N / 112° 33.28’ W elevation 5241’
Wisdom: Wisdom is 65 miles from Dillon, MT and has an unsecured helipad located just offsite at the Ranger District station.
45° 36.62’ N / 113° 26.78’ W elevation 6060’
Lodging: Pioneer Mountain: 406-689-3229
* unsecured
* livestock on site but with good separation
* unable to expand to large helibase operations
Wise River: Wise River is located 65 miles from Dillon MT and has an unsecured helipad located on site at the Ranger District station.
45° 47.49’ N / 112° 56.49’ W elevation 5778’
* Unsecured with increased traffic around helipad due to location
* Helipad can host a type II helicopter but due to the terrain angle fuel truck (semi-truck) has difficulty maneuvering, positioning and parking and is unable to stay stationery during operations.
* Approach and Departure paths require over-flight of people, cars, buildings, power lines and potentially highway at low levels.
* No external load operations recommended.
* Unable to expand helibase operations.
* Helicopter operations not separated from day to day Ranger District operations.
.

Retardant Use Procedures
Avoid aerial application of wildland fire chemicals within 300 feet of waterways and any ground application of wildland fire chemicals into waterways. Application of retardant on the B-D will continue as in the past only now we have identified specific avoidance areas on the forest. These areas are identified on quad maps that will be supplied to all incoming teams and IA resources assigned to fire suppression on the B-D. In December of 2011, the Chief of the Forest Service signed the National Aerial Application of Fire Retardant on National Forest System Land Record of Decision. This decision stated the following: “Aerial retardant drops are not allowed in mapped avoidance areas for threatened, endangered, proposed, candidate or sensitive (TEPCS) species or in waterways. This national direction is mandatory and would be implemented except in cases where human life or public safety is threatened and retardant use within the avoidance areas could be reasonably expected to alleviate that threat.”
Reporting Requirements of Wildland Fire Chemicals into Waterways: Any fire chemicals aerially applied into a waterway or within 300 feet of a waterway require prompt upward reporting to incident management and agency administrators. Notifications will also be made for any spills or ground applications of fire chemicals into waterways or with potential to enter the waterway.
If it is believed that fire chemicals have been introduced into a waterway or buffer zone, personnel should immediately inform their supervisor. The incident or host authorities must immediately contact appropriate regulatory agencies and specialists within the local jurisdiction.
Initial notifications of wildland fire chemical mishaps will be reported as soon as possible to the Forest Aviation Officer and/or Dillon Interagency Dispatch and they will contact WFCS Fire Chemical Project Leader in Missoula, Montana at phone 406-329-4859 (if no answer please leave message) or to individuals listed on website referenced below. Include the date, location, and extent of the mishap.
All information, including reporting form and instructions, are posted on the web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire

Standard Procedures For Declaring Fires to Patrol Status
During periods of high fire activity and the need to meet staffing levels, considerations may be given to de-staff fires that can safely be placed into a patrol status. Fires can only be placed in patrol status if there have been no visible smokes or detected heat sources for several hours, and the fire is 100% contained. The Incident Commander (IC) must be confident that the fire will not rekindle and/or escape before the fire is to be checked either prior to 1200 hours or next operational period. Efforts should be made to maintain staffing of the fire through the burn period before de-staffing the fire, and placing the fire into patrol status.
The IC and the District Duty Officer (DDO) must concur with the decision to place the fire into patrol status, and the DDO is responsible to make the final decision. If an IC other than the original IC is selected to check the fire, every effort should be made to provide for a transition of information from the original IC to the fire check IC. This should be done as a face to face transition where possible. All Forest IC’s should have received a delegation of authority and they should be familiar with what is in it.
Fires that are placed in patrol status will be checked a minimum of 2 consecutive days after the last smoke has been detected before it can be declared out. In situations where heavy rock and/or fuels are present, consider additional checks. The fire must be checked and declared out by a qualified IC.
* The first check of the fire will be made prior to 1200 hours of the next operational period. If no smoke or heat is detected during the first check, the last fire check will be made during the heat of the following day. If smoke or heat is detected during the first check, then the fire must be checked the following burn period prior to 1200 hours, and still must be smoke or heat free for a minimum of 2 checks before it can be declared out by the IC.
* Consider using an I.R detector for small fires with heavy fuels, or remote locations that need to be declared out with only 1 check or fires that are large and require a more thorough inspection. Some fires may require several inspections with the I.R. detector.
* The access routes to all fires will be flagged using approved colors. The fire location will be flagged to the closest or appropriate drop point. All flagging will be pulled when the fire is called out.
* All fire checks will be documented on the individual fire record, and include date, time, any smokes or heat found, and the IC name. All fire checks in patrol status are called into DDC for documentation.
The DDO is responsible for ensuring that all fires placed into patrol status are checked within established time frames, and all information is reported on the individual fire record. Any deviation from these standards will require approval of the DDO, and the decision rationale from the IC and DDO will be documented.

Dillon Interagency Dispatch Zone
Fire Danger Planning Areas
Plan Areas

Dillon Interagency Dispatch Zone
Fire Danger Rating Areas (FDRAs)
Plan Areas

Dillon Interagency Dispatch Zone
Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS)
Plan Areas

USDA Forest Service, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
This largest of the national forests in Montana covers 3.35 million acres and lies in eight Southwest Montana counties ( Granite, Powell, Jefferson, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Madison, Gallatin and Beaverhead). Forest Service offices administering the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests are in Butte, Dillon, Philipsburg, Ennis, Wise River and Wisdom. The forest provides timber, minerals and grazing lands. It also offers breath-taking scenery for a wide variety of recreational pursuits. Whether it is wilderness trekking in the Anaconda-Pintler or Lee Metcalf Wilderness, driving the Gravelly Range Road or Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, or camping in one of the 50 small to medium– sized campgrounds in the forest, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge has it all.

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), US Sheep Experiment Station
The US Sheep Experiment Station (USSES) is located approximately six miles north of Dubois, Idaho. The USSES has approximately 16,600 acres of land in Montana, which is used for summer grazing and rangeland research. The Montana land reaches nearly 10,000 feet in elevation, with average annual precipitation of almost 21 inches. Because of its diverse geography, USSES lands contain Subalpine meadows, foothill, sagebrush steppe and desert shrubland ecosystems. This diversity provides unparalleled research opportunities within ARS.
USSES programs will lead to an understanding of the interactions between sheep and the environments in which they are produced that can be sued to improve sheep production systems and ensure the sustainability of grazing land ecosystems.

USDI Bureau of Land Management, Bute Field Office
The Butte Field Office manages over 300,000 acres of public lands and approximately 650,000 acres of mineral estate in eight counties in southwestern Montana. These eight counties represent the rich diversity of Montana—ranging from prairie grasslands, to timbered mountains. The Study Area includes three of these counties—Deerlodge, Jefferson and Silver Bow. Recreational opportunities abound in this area. The Big Hole River area south of Butte provides angler access to a blue-ribbon trout stream and several access points to the nearby Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF. Opportunities for hiking and OHV riding can also be found by checking ou the recreation opportunities listed on the forest website. The Butte area is called the “richest hill on earth” and the area is rich in mineral deposits for the serious explorer or weekend rockhound. Other important uses include livestock grazing and forest management.

USDI Bureau of Land Management, Dillon Field Office
The Dillon field Office manages over 900,000 acres of public lands and approximately 1.3 million acres of mineral estate within Beaverhead and Madison Counties in the southwest corner of Montana. Ranching and livestock grazing are important uses of the area. The wide open spaces provide excellent wildlife habitat and a wealth of dispersed recreation opportunities.
The field office is home to BLM’s only designated wilderness area in Montana; Bear Trap Canyon is one of the four units of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. Here you will find opportunities for hiking, fishing and world class white-water rafting on the Madison River. Drive the 50 mile Big Sheep Back Country Byway south of Dillon and watch for bighorn sheep, deer, elk and other wildlife.
Big game hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing are popular activities within the Dillon Field Office and the nearby Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Clark Canyon Dam
Recreation on Clark Canyon Reservoir and Barrett’s Diversion Dam, located on the Beaverhead River south of Dillon, Montana, is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Clark Canyon Reservoir is the site of Camp Fortunate, one of the more significant spots along the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Camp Fortunate Interpretive Site presents information about the Lewis and Clark campsite and about their journey. Clark Canyon Reservoir, with 4,935 water surface acres, 4,388 land surface acres and 17 miles of shoreline, offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Concrete boat ramps, picnic areas, and picnic shelters are available. There are 9 campgrounds, including an RV only lot, for a total of 96 campsites. The Cattail Marsh nature trail offers wildlife watching opportunities for seasonal waterfowl.

USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 to protect the rare trumpeter swan and migratory birds. Today, the refuge continues to be one of the most important breeding areas in the Greater Yellowstone Area for these majestic birds. Red Rock Lakes NWR is primarily a high elevation(6,600 feet) mountain wetland-riparian area, The largest in the Greater Yellowstone Area and is located near the headwaters of the Missouri River. Several creeks flow into the refuge, creating the impressive Upper Red Rock Lake, River Marsh and Lower Red Rock Lake wetlands. The rugged Centennial Mountains border the refuge on the south, catching the snows of winter that replenish the refuges’ lakes and wetlands. Although much of the refuge lands were originally homesteaded at the turn of the century, refuge management has restored much of the naturalness to the area. This approach gained Red Rock Lakes NWR the distinction of being designated a National Natural Landmark, as well as becoming one of the few Wetland Wilderness Areas in the country. Outside the designated Wilderness Area, there are two maintained trails to experience all that the refuge has to offer.

USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Ennis National Fish Hatchery
The Ennis National Fish Hatchery (NFH) was authorized by Congress in May 1930, and started fish culture operation in July 1933. Ennis NFH operates as a broodstock hatchery and is the largest facility in the Service’s National Broodstock Program. It is one of the only two rainbow trout broodstock hatcheries in the nationwide federal hatchery system. To meet the trout production demands, Ennis NFH facilities include 38 hatchery tanks, 48 circular tanks and 36 raceways.
The hatchery also produces 350,000 fingerling rainbow trout of the State of Montana which are stocked in Montana lakes and reservoirs. After 3-4 years, broodstock ( the adult fish that provide eggs) are “retired” and stocked into publish waters in Montana’s urban and youth programs.
Blaine Springs—It’s the Water!
Sometime in the geologic past, disturbances in the earth's crust created and area where pure, disease free, clean water bubbled from the ground. Today, Blaine Springs flows at a rate of 15,000 gallons per minute.
Blaine Springs is a very dependable water source. Only one decrease in flow was ever recorded, and that was in the spring of 1993 after several years of drought. April and May of that year resulted in abnormally large amounts of rainfall and the spring resumed its normal flow. The water is a constant 54°F, an ideal temperature to nurture trout. After passing through Ennis NFH, Blaine Springs is used for irrigation by several ranches.

USDI National Park Service, Big Hole National Battlefield
The Big Hole National Battlefield memorializes the bravery of the Nez Perce and U.S. soldiers and volunteers who fought here during the epic flight of the Nez Perce in 1877 and preserves the scene of one of the most famous battle so the Indian Wars. Located in the lush Big Hole Valley in southwestern Montana, the beauty and tranquility of the setting add immeasurably to the solemnity of the battlefield. Today, this national park system unit of 655 acres encompasses most of the principal features of the battlefield. It is bounded by the two-lane State Hight 43 on the south, Beaverhead National Forest on the west and north, and private ranch land on the east. Bisecting the area, the North Fork of the Big Hole River meanders in a northeasterly course through swampy bottomland. Battle Mountain rises on the northwest side of this river valley and Ruby Bench on the southeast side. The natural boundary between forest and steppe at this location, although pronounced, does not quite follow the foot of the mountains. A treeless grassy, open area now knows as the Horse Pasture, is where the Nez Perce grased their horses while they were encamped along the other side of the river, and from this point came the pre-dawn attack by the U.S. soldiers.

USDI National Park Service, Grant Kohrs National Historic Site
Grant-Kohrs Home Ranch was established as the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site “to provide an understanding of the frontier cattle era of the Nation’s history, to preserve the Grant-Kohrs Ranch, and to interpret the nationally –significant values thereof for the benefit and inspiration of the present and future generations. Within the site boundary of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, the NPS continues to conduct ranching activities involving livestock grazing, hay production, irrigation, fencing, and noxious weed control. The NPS preserves 88 structures on the List of Classified Structures dating from 1860-1960; a site-original 29,000 object museum collection; and intact 1860s-1980s ranch archives.
The Grant-Kohrs NHS is located in the intermountain grassland region of west central Montana, nestled in the Deerlodge Valley along the Clark Fork of the Columbia River. The valley, with is approximately 50 miles long and 10-15 miles wide, is defined by the Flint Creek Mountain Range to the west and the Continental Divide to the east. While the valley is predominately in private ownership, the mountain ranges are federally owned and managed as the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Helena National Forests.
The Deerlodge Valley experiences a semi-arid inland mountain climate with average annual high and low temperatures of 56 and 28 degrees, respectively. It receives an average of only 10.6 inches of precipitation per year, with most rainfall occurring in the months of May and June. Topography influences and sustains a variety of microclimates within the inter-mountain region, with the higher mountain elevations receiving more precipitation and cooler temperatures; in contrast , the valley receive less precipitation and warmer temperatures. The standard temperature change with increasing elevation is about –10°F for every 100 feet. The valley floors and benches comprise the lowest elevations and is the zone within which the rant-Kohrs Ranch NHS is located.
The benches are visually defining feature within the valley and mark the boundary between the wetter alluvial soils along the riparian zone, and the well drained loams found in the upper elevations. The historic ranch home build by John Grant was located along the bench on the eastern side of the river. The ranch is comprised of a variety of different plant communities. These include the irrigated hay fields, dry ranges, riparian woodlands, wetlands, and domestic landscapes. Variations in plate communities relate to the availability of water (whether natural or irrigated), as well as variations in soil type and cultural influences.

State of Montana, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)
The forestry division of the State of Montana DNRC is responsible for planning and implementing forestry and fire management programs. Fire and Aviation Management staff manages all state-owned school trust land and provides or contracts fire protection for these trust land, as well as prison system and State of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) lands. Eash of the eight countries in the Study Area have a country warden responsible for protection of private land. The county warden is responsible for fire suppression coordination amongst the local fire departments and function as a liaison with the State and Federal agencies.
Montana State law requires the DNRC to manage state school trust land in a manner that produces revenue to help support the state public schools. This includes fire protection which may be provided directly by the DNRC or under contract with a federal agency.
FWP’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are managed with wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation as the foremost concern. WMAs protect important wildlife habitat that might otherwise disappear from the Montana landscape. They provide vital habitat for bear, bighorn sheep, birds, deer, elk, furbearers, moose, mountain goats, wolves and an array of other game and nongame wildlife.
FWP fishing access sites provide angles good access to blue ribbon steams and rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Some Montana State Parks also offer fishing and other recreational activities.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF
District & Repeater Sites Map

Radio Frequency Guide available upon request

PROCEDURES

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