Bear Trap Fire Update – Most Comprehensive Update So Far – Update

This is the latest from the Gallatin Media Center:

[UPDATE] 11:20 AM:  Hwy 84 from Blacks Ford to Norris is open currently.

9:30 AM:

Location: 20 miles northeast of Ennis, MT along the Madison River.

Current Size: Approximately 3000+ Containment: 0%

Resources Assigned: 1 20 person crew, 1 Type 1 Hotshot Crew, 2 Type 2 Helicopters, Additional resources requested.

Closures: Norris Road in Gallatin County from Four Corners to Madison River Road is open.

Norris Road (MT Hwy 84) from Madison River Road to Norris is still closed. The restrictions on Madison River Road are lifted and travel is also allowed.

Recreation facilities in the Bear Trap Canyon corridor along the Madison River remain closed. Floating the Madison River is not recommended, much of the Madison River corridor within the fire area is closed for public and firefighter safety.

All BLM lands within the Lower Madison River Special Recreation Management Area remain closed.

Current Status: A type two Incident Management Team under the direction of Incident Commander Stan Benes will transition and assume command of the fire today. Additional resources are ordered and will be arriving over the next few days. Continued hot and dry conditions, steep terrain, along with sustained strong winds, with gusts to 40 mph have hampered firefighting efforts. Tuesday afternoon the fire made a run along the western and northeastern flanks crossing the Madison River and Hwy 84, resulting in rapid rates of spread and active fire behavior.

Planned Actions: Fire personnel will continue to scout and construct fireline through all divisions. The fire burned actively until Tuesday evening. Resources are limited, but as additional incoming resources arrive they will be assigned and begin constructing fireline and securing the fire’s perimeter.

Weather: A high pressure system will continue of the fire vicinity today with continued hot and dry conditions reaching between 75-80 degrees. Winds will be lighter at 6-12 mph, southwest.

Remarks: 2 structures confirmed lost, evacuations are in effect for Blacks Ford south to Norris, Gallatin County pre-evacuation notifications are in effect for Blacks Ford north into Gallatin County. No injuries reported.