UPDATE: 07-04-2026 10 a.m. The Darby Rural Fire Department posted Saturday morning that the Deer Hollow Fire is currently estimated at 407 acres and that crews were cleared at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
In a social media post, they urged the public to be aware that smoke will continue to be visable over the next several days. Firefights will remain in the area monitoring and extinguishing hotspots to ensure the fire remains contained.
Update 9:20 p.m.
The fire has grown to 407 acres with no structures lost, according to Hamilton firefighters.
Hamilton firefighters were assigned to both the south and north ends of the fire, and no structures were lost.
(original report) Firefighters are responding to a new fire reported at 1:11 p.m. south of Darby.
The Deer Hollow Fire is estimated at 50 acres and ignited in private lands, threatening structures in the Rye Creek area, according to the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management.
Darby Rural Fire Department responded along with mutual aid resources from US Forest Service and Sula, Hamilton, Corvallis, Victor, Pinesdale, and Stevensville Rural Fire Districts.
Air attack, helicopters and large air tankers have also been called, according to fire officials.
Officials warned that fuels in the valley floor have dried out quickly and can easily ignite.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.
