Evacuations underway in Bridger Canyon, road closed

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Evacuations underway in Bridger Canyon, road closed Sept 5, 2020 16:48:42 GMT -7

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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2020 16:48:42 GMT -7

Evacuations underway in Bridger Canyon, road closed from Story Mill to Sedan

The Bozeman "M" fire increased substantially today. The high topped fire clouds were easily visible from High South Glastonbury. The tops of the rapidly growing clouds were white; inside they showed orange and grey smoke dominated the bottom layer.

KBZK reports:

"(Updated 4:09 p.m. MDT, 9/5/2020)

The Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post, "Residents of Jackson Creek Road all the way to I-90 need to evacuate NOW."

(Updated 3:45 p.m. MDT, 9/5/2020)

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin confirmed in a press conference on Saturday that evacuations are underway in Bridger Canyon due to the Bridger Foothills Fire.

The Sheriff's Office said the following in a press release:

"The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is evacuating residents in Bridger Canyon near the Bridger Foothills Fire.

If you are a resident of Bridger Canyon who has not been contacted by the sheriff’s office yet, you are asked to evacuate voluntarily.

Residents were warned yesterday and this morning prior to the evacuations.

Bridger Canyon Road is currently closed to non-residents between Story Mill Road and Sedan. It is important for people to stay away from Bridger Canyon to allow for responders to work on the fire.

People are also asked to not call 911 unless they are directly impacted by the fire. Our dispatchers are being inundated with calls."

Sheriff's deputies are diverting traffic away from Bridger Canyon on both sides of the closure. Park County Sheriff's Deputies are stationed in Sedan and turning away motorists.

The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center for anyone displaced by the Bridger Foothills Fire at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bozeman."

Last Edit: Sept 5, 2020 16:49:29 GMT -7 by Admin

The Administrator, Tim Brockett, is also a Director on the Glastonbury Landowners Association Board. The opinions expressed on the Forum are his own and may or may not coincide with the views of the GLA Board.

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Evacuations underway in Bridger Canyon, road closed Sept 5, 2020 18:25:57 GMT -7

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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2020 18:25:57 GMT -7

The Bozeman Chronicle reports:

"A fire burning in the mountains north of Bozeman has burned structures and forced evacuations in the Bridger and Bangtail mountain ranges.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post Saturday evening that the Bridger Foothills fire jumped Bridger Canyon Road. The post said the fire is burning buildings.

Officials are evacuating residents of Bridger Canyon, Kelly Canyon and the Jackson Creek area as a result of the Bridger Foothills fire.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone not contacted by the sheriff’s office to evacuate voluntarily. Officials are also asking people to steer clear of those areas so emergency responders can get people out safely.

Bridger Canyon Road is now closed from Story Mill Road to Sedan.

Corey Lewellen, Bozeman District Ranger, said structures have been “taken out” by the fire, but did not say how many. He also said some firefighters have been taken to the hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

Sheriff Brian Gootkin said people should not call 911 unless they are directly impacted by the fire.

The fire started in the Bridger Mountains north of the “M” trail Friday afternoon and has now spread to about 475 acres, according to a news release from the office of Gov. Steve Bullock. Bullock announced Saturday afternoon that Federal Emergency Management Agency grant had been secured to help pay for the fire response.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.

The fire kicked up significantly Saturday afternoon, sending a massive smoke plume into the sky.

All trails in the Bridgers and Bangtails are now closed, the Custer Gallatin National Forest announced."

The Administrator, Tim Brockett, is also a Director on the Glastonbury Landowners Association Board. The opinions expressed on the Forum are his own and may or may not coincide with the views of the GLA Board.

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Evacuations underway in Bridger Canyon, road closed Sept 5, 2020 18:29:34 GMT -7

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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2020 18:29:34 GMT -7

FEMA assistance secured for Bridger Foothills Fire

KBZK reports:

"Gov. Steve Bullock announced in a press release Montana has secured funds from FEMA to help with costs from fighting the Bridger Foothills Fire.

The assistance will come from a Federal Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) and makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs.

According to the press release, "eligible costs include materials and supplies, mobilization and demobilization, equipment use, and expenses for field camps."

The release said each FMAG is eligible for over $450,000 in federal mitigation funding.

“I appreciate FEMA’s quick response to providing this assistance and to the firefighters working diligently to keep the community of Bozeman safe,” said Governor Bullock. “We ask that Montanans continue to stay safe, stay informed, and take every precaution to prevent a wildfire – especially with the potential for critical fire weather conditions.”

The Bridger Foothills Fire started on September 4 and has burned more than 475 acres and threatens more than 250 homes around Bozeman."

The Administrator, Tim Brockett, is also a Director on the Glastonbury Landowners Association Board. The opinions expressed on the Forum are his own and may or may not coincide with the views of the GLA Board.

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Evacuations underway in Bridger Canyon, road closed Sept 5, 2020 18:49:06 GMT -7

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Post by Admin on Sept 5, 2020 18:49:06 GMT -7

Bridger Foothills Fire prompts pre-evacuation notices for residents in Quinn Creek area of Park County

The Livingston Enterprise reports:

"Residents of Jackson Creek and Bridger Canyon are being asked to evacuate as crews battle the erratic Bridger Foothills Fire northeast of Bozeman.

Meanwhile, the Park County Sheriff’s Office is giving pre-evacuation notices to residents of the nearby Quinn Creek area, located north of Interstate 90 and just east of Jackson Creek Road.

Pre-evacuation notices alert residents living near fires of a potential need to evacuate, according to a notification sent out after 6:30 p.m. Saturday by Park County’s alert system.

The message encouraged those in an active fire area to listen to the recommendations and orders from public safety officials.

“Fire conditions can change rapidly,” the message said. “Be aware of your surroundings and safety. There are occasions when there is no time for evacuation orders. Be prepared to leave without warning if you do not feel safe.”

Read the full story here.

The Administrator, Tim Brockett, is also a Director on the Glastonbury Landowners Association Board. The opinions expressed on the Forum are his own and may or may not coincide with the views of the GLA Board.