Bridger Foothills Fire Morning Update

September 8, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.     

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Center: 406-219-7052 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)

Media Inquiries: 406-219-7136

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7144/       

Email: 2020.bridgerfoothills@firenet.gov

Special Notes: There will be a virtual public fire information meeting this evening Sept. 8 at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Facebook page and the Custer Gallatin National Forest Facebook page. For those without Facebook, the meeting can be viewed via Zoom at this link: https://usfs.zoomgov.com/j/1612208600 and Passcode 536817.  An update on the status of the fire and evacuations will be provided by Incident Management Team members, Montana DNRC, Gallatin County Sheriff, and Custer-Gallatin National Forest officials who are all working in close coordination on fire suppression.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office will hold a “Relief, Recovery, and Support Day” for those directly impacted by the fire at Gallatin County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. For further information see https://www.facebook.com/events/259439328430126.

Current Situation: Due to yesterday’s precipitation, fire behavior is expected to be minimal today. Firefighting crews and structure protection personnel will focus their efforts on the lower elevations of the fire in Divisions A, H, and Y. They will secure the fire perimeter in these areas and take precautions to ensure that fire does not further encroach on any structures. In the western portion of Division H, personnel will scout for opportunities to build direct hand and dozer lines to prevent further fire spread to the north. In Division D at the upper elevations of the fire, aerial reconnaissance will be used to locate future helispots for inserting hand crews and a spike camp. These crews will be used in coming days to secure the western edge of the fire. As always, safety remains our highest priority, so firefighters will be especially cognizant today of slick roads and slippery footing.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bridger Canyon Fire Chief, and structure protection personnel will continue assessments of structures impacted by the fire on Saturday. Follow-up with homeowners will be accomplished as soon as possible. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  This morning, the entire fire area is snow-covered, with amounts ranging from a trace at lower elevations to 6-8 inches higher up. Fire behavior will be minimal today. Skies will be slowly clearing throughout the day, beginning a warming and drying trend that will continue throughout the week. High temperatures today will be 44-48 degrees with a relative humidity of 37-45 percent. Winds will be E 5-7 mph with gusts to 12 mph on ridgetops. Tonight’s temperatures will be 22-30 degrees in the valleys and 7-27 degrees above 7,000 feet. Humidity recovery will be 53-58 percent and nighttime winds will be E 5-10 mph gusting to 20 mph on ridges. Despite the precipitation, heavy fuels remain dry inside and continue to burn. Light fuels will dry quickly as the warming trend continues.

Evacuations and Warnings:   Several neighborhoods are in evacuation or evacuation warning status. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating allowing residents briefly back into their homes at specific times and for specific needs. For the latest information on evacuations see the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gallatincountysheriffsoffice/.

Closures:  Hwy 86/Bridger Canyon Road is closed from Brass Lantern Court to Brackett Creek Rd. The Kelly Canyon road closure has been moved from I-90 to the intersection of Bridger Canyon Road. The Jackson Creak road closure has been moved from I-90 to the intersection of Jackson Creek Road and Laughing Horse Lane. The area closure for the Custer-Gallatin National Forest is listed on the Forest Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CusterGallatinNationalForest/.

Bridger Foothills Fire Statistics:

Size: approximately 7,138 acres

Containment: 0%

Total Personnel: approximately 300

Location: NE of Bozeman, approx. 2.5 miles up from M parking lot, near the Bridger Foothills trail

Reported: September 4, 2020

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Include: Air resources, including single engine air tankers (SEATs,) 6 helicopters, 2 Interagency Hotshot (Type 1) hand crews, 8 Type 2 hand crews, 15 engines, 3 water tenders, and 3 dozers.  Many additional resources are on order.

Bridger Foothills Fire Evening Update

September 7, 2020 – 8:00 p.m.    

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Center: 406-219-7052        

Media Inquiries: 406-219-7136

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7144/       

Email: 2020.bridgerfoothills@firenet.gov

Special Notes: The Rocky Mountain Area Type 1 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire at 6:00 am this morning. Team members are primarily from Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

There will be a virtual public fire information meeting Tuesday evening Sept. 8 at 6:00 pm. Details for accessing the meeting will be provided tomorrow.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and US Forest Service will be holding a “Relief, Recovery, and Support Day” for those directly impacted by the fire at Gallatin County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Current Situation:   Minimal fire activity occurred on Monday due to cooler temperatures and precipitation.  Crews began cold trailing and building fireline as needed around the spots on the eastern side of the fire. At the southwest corner of the fire, crews are constructing handline to the north. Locations for hand and dozer line are being scouted on the northern side of the fire.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Structure Protection Group, is conducting assessments of structures impacted by the fire on Saturday. Follow-up with homeowners will be accomplished as soon as possible. Structure protection measures are being focused on preventing reburn around homes and other buildings.

Firefighters will continue to secure the heel of the fire at the southwest corner and proceed north along the flank of the fire from this anchor point.  Heavy equipment and air support will be utilized as needed to continue to secure line and to mop-up around the fire perimeter. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  Significantly cooler temperatures reduced fire behavior today. Rain and snow have been observed over portions of the fire area. A mix of rain/snow is expected to continue tonight. Overnight temperatures are expected to dip to below 30 degrees and the area could experience its first hard frost of the season. The outlook is for a warming trend later in the week.

Evacuations and Warnings:   Several neighborhoods are in evacuation or evacuation warning status. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating allowing residents briefly back into their homes at specific times and for specific needs. For the latest information on evacuations see the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gallatincountysheriffsoffice/ .

Closures:  Hwy 86/Bridger Canyon Road is closed from Jackson Creek Rd. to Brackett Creek Rd. The Kelly Canyon road closure has been moved from I-90 to the intersection of Bridger Canyon Road. The Jackson Creak road closure has been moved from I-90 to the intersection of Jackson Creek Road and Laughing Horse Lane. The area closure for the Custer-Gallatin National Forest are listed on the Forest Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CusterGallatinNationalForest/.

Bridger Foothills Fire Statistics:

Size: approximately 7,140 acres

Containment: 0%

Total Personnel: 160

Location: NE of Bozeman, approx. 2.5 miles up from M parking lot, near the Bridger Foothills trail

Reported: September 4, 2020

Cause: Under investigation

Resources Include: Air resources, including single engine air tankers (SEATs,) 7 helicopters, Midnight Sun and Idaho Panhandle Interagency Hotshot crews, smokejumpers, 4 Type 2 handcrews, 11 engines, 4 water tenders and 2 dozers.  Many additional resources are on order.

Rain and snow are beginning to accumulate over high elevations on the Bridger Foothills Fire. 
Firefighters are taking advantage of the minimal fire activity today to further construction fireline and secure and assess around structures. 

Warmer temperatures are expected later in the week.  
A Type I Incident Management Team assumes command of the fire today.

Bridger Foothills Fire

Morning Update - September 7, 2020

Start date:  September 4, 2020

Location:  NE of Bozeman, MT, approx. 2.5 miles up from M parking lot, near Bridger Foothills Trail.

Cause:  Under Investigation

Total Personnel: 160

Current Size:  Approximately 7140 acres

Containment: 0%

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7144/

Call 211 for those affected by the Fire and seeking assistance.

Hwy 86/Bridger Canyon Road is closed: Story Mill to Sedan,

Evacuations in effect for Kelly Canyon, Jackson Creek and all of Bridger Canyon. 

Moffitt Gulch, Quinn Creek, O’Rea Creek, Willow Creek, Fleshman Creek, Stone Creek, Skunk Creek and Brackett Creek under evacuation warnings.

Media Escorts will start to occur on Monday,

please call 406-219-7136 to arrange, respect residents.

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office will be letting residents return briefly between 8 a.m. and noon, Monday, Sept. 7.  Residents MUST provide name, address, ID and varication and check-in/out with deputies. 

Please use the access closest to your house. (Stone Creek to Brackett remains closed for safety).

Forest Area Closures: All roads and trails in the Bridgers and Bangtails are closed.

Resources Assigned: Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team under the command of Dan Dallas will inbrief and assume command of the fire this morning, Monday, September 7.   Air resources, including single engine air tankers, 7 helicopters, Midnight Sun and Idaho Panhandle Interagency Hotshot Crews, smokejumpers, 4 Type II handcrews, 11 engines, 4 water tenders, 2 dozers and more resources on order. 

Current Status: Minimal fire activity occurred on Sunday, mainly on the northeast flank of the fire.  Firefighters begin assessing structures and providing additional structure protection after Saturday fire front to prevent any reburn around homes.  Direct handline continues to be constructed along the heel of the fire and proceeding north. 

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Structure protection on the fire has confirmed structures have been impacted and lost.  Assessment and recovery of structures continues today and follow-up with homeowners is being done as soon as possible. 

Planned Actions:  Firefighters will continue to secure the heel of the fire and work north, typing in along the flanks of the fire.  Structure protection, including assessments and recovery will continue today.  Heavy equipment and air support will be utilized where needed to continue to secure a line and mop-up around structures and prevent any reburn.  Public and firefighter life and safety is the utmost priority.

Weather:  A significant cool down is expected Monday, with rain occurring over the fire area starting around 9 a.m.  A mix of rain/snow is expected into the afternoon and overnight.  Overnight temps will dip to 21-30 degrees and will be the first hard frost in most of the fire area.  Minimal fire activity is expected Monday with weather, with a warming trend by the end of the week.

-FS-

Bridger Foothills Fire

Evening Update - September 6, 2020

Start date:  September 4, 2020

Location:  NE of Bozeman, MT, approx. 2.5 miles up from M parking lot, near Bridger Foothills Trail.

Cause:  Under Investigation

Total Personnel: 140

Current Size:  Approximately 7100 acres

Containment: 0%

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7144/

Call 211 for those affected by the Fire and seeking assistance.

Hwy 86/Bridger Canyon Road is closed: Story Mill to Sedan,

Evacuations in effect for Kelly Canyon, Jackson Creek and all of Bridger Canyon. 

Moffitt Gulch, Quinn Creek, O’Rea Creek, Willow Creek, Fleshman Creek, Stone Creek, Skunk Creek and Brackett Creek under evacuation warnings.  

Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office will be letting residents return briefly between 8 a.m. and noon, Monday, Sept. 7.  Residents MUST provide name, address, ID and varication and check-in/out with deputies. 

Please use the access point closest to your house. (Stone Creek to Brackett remains closed for safety)

Forest Area Closures: All roads and trails in the Bridgers and Bangtails are closed.

Resources Assigned: Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team under the command of Dallas will inbrief and assume command of the fire tomorrow, Monday, September 7.   Air resources including single engine air tankers, 6 helicopters, Midnight Sun and Idaho Panhandle Interagency Hotshot Crews, 3 Type II handcrews, multiple structure protection strike teams/engines, smokejumpers, dozers and more resources on order. 

Current Status: Minimal fire activity occurred on Sunday, September 6 mainly on the northeast flank of the fire.  Firefighters were able to assess structures and continue to provide structure protection where the fire went through on Saturday and ensure embers around houses were extinguished.  Direct handline was constructed along the heel of the fire, on the southwestern edge of the fire.  The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Structure protection on the fire has confirmed structures have been impacted and lost.  Follow-up with homeowners is being done as soon as possible. 

Planned Actions:  Firefighters will continue with direct handline construction working north.  Structure protection will occur ahead of the fire and firefighters will continue to assess structures.  Heavy equipment will be utilized where needed to continue to secure a line and mop-up around structures and prevent any reburn.  Public and firefighter life and safety is the utmost priority.   

Injuries:  On Saturday two separate events took place.  One confirmed injury due do a rolling rock to a firefighter was confirmed.  The individual has been treated and released. 

A separate incident occurred with three firefighters in a position that they felt they needed to deploy their fire shelters as is trained for.  At a later time, the firefighters came out of their shelters and were able to move to a safe area.  The individuals are currently being treated at Bozeman Health for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion and have been released.  They are otherwise in good condition and will be rejoining their families as soon as possible.

Public and firefighter life and safety is the utmost priority and actions taking place today will follow that primary principle.    

Weather:  A significant cool down is expected overnight and into Monday.  Overnight temps at 43-46, relative humidity recovery at 83-91%.  Monday temperatures will be 44-49 and rain showers likely. 

-FS-

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE

1. Going into or being upon an area 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e)

2) Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty;

#BridgerFoothillsFire - we have had reports of unmanned aircraft (drones) over the fire. Drones are prohibited in the fire area. If you fly, WE CAN’T - drones have potential to shut down all air operations. Please help responders by steering clear of closures, including airspace.

Firefighters continue to make water drop and load and return and assess structures in Bridger Canyon.

A live virtual meeting will be hosted Gallatin County Sheriff's Office at 2:30 p.m.

Injuries:  On Saturday two separate events took place.  One confirmed injury due do a rolling rock to a firefighter was confirmed.  The individual has been treated and released.  

A separate incident occurred with three firefighters in a position that they felt they needed to deploy their fire shelters as is trained for.  At a later time, the firefighters came out of their shelters and were able to move to a safe area.  The individuals are currently being treated at Bozeman Health for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion and have been released.  They are otherwise in good condition and will be rejoining their families as soon as possible.

Public and firefighter life and safety is the utmost priority and actions taking place today will follow that primary principle.      

Weather:  A cold front occurred over the fire area on Saturday, with an additional cold front expected Sunday.  Temperatures on Sunday will be 78-83 with relative humidity at 20-24%.  A significant cool down is expected overnight and into Monday.  Overnight temps at 43-46, relative humidity recovery at 83-91%.  Monday temperatures will be 44-49 and rain showers likely. 

Bridgers and Bangtails - All Roads and Trails are closed.

Bridger Foothills Fire

Evening Update - September 5, 2020

Start date:  September 4, 2020

Location:  NE of Bozeman, MT, approx. 2.5 miles up from M parking lot, near Bridger Foothills Trail.

Cause:  Under Investigation

Total Personnel: 120

Current Size:  Estimated at 11,000 acres

Containment: 0%

Hwy 86/Bridger Canyon Road is closed

Story Mill to Brackett Creek; including Kelly Canyon and Jackson Creek Road,

Evacuations in effect for Kelly Canyon, Jackson Creek and all of Bridger Canyon. 

Skunk Creek Road under evacuation warning.  

Forest Area Closures: All roads and trails in the Bridgers and Bangtails are closed immediately.  

Resources Assigned: Type 1 IMT ordered, 2 large airtankers, 4 single engine air tankers, 5 helicopters dropping water and providing structure protection, Midnight Sun Interagency Hotshot Crew, smokejumpers, 2 type 2 handcrews, dozers and more resources being ordered.  

Current Status:  Bridger Foothills Fire had an extremely active day on Saturday with high temps, low relative humidity and sustained winds 10-20 mph, gusts to 30 mph and a cold front passage.  The fire grew from an estimated 400 acres to 11,000 acres.  The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Structure protection on the fire has confirmed structures have been impacted and lost.  An estimate and follow-up will be done as possible.  People who have not been evacuated are urged to voluntarily leave the area until it is safe to return.  

Planned Actions:  After extreme fire behavior on Saturday, firefighters will reassess the fire and determine structure protection and public safety.  An infrared aviation flight mapping the fire perimeter will occur overnight.  A Type I Incident Management Team is ordered and will be inbriefing at 10:00 Monday, September 7, 2020.  Firefighters had to disengage and pull off the fire and focus on structure protection for much of Saturday afternoon due to safety and fire behavior. 

Injuries:  We do have one confirmed injury due to a rolling rock to a firefighter.  This individual has been treated and released.  A separate incident occurred as well, on Saturday with three firefighters in a position that they felt they needed to deploy their fire shelters.  At a later time the firefighters came out of their shelters and were able to move to a safe area.  The individuals are currently being treated at Bozeman Health for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, but are otherwise in good condition and will be rejoining their families as soon as possible.   

Weather:  One cold front occurred Saturday afternoon/evening with another cold front expected Sunday.  Sunday is expected to be 80’s with slightly higher relative humidity.  Shifting winds are expected.  Cooler temps over the fire are expected by Monday. 

-FS-