LERT: Go status reached. Effective immediately, the Beaverhead County Sheriff, in coordination with fire officials and local cooperators, moved evacuation status from “set” to “GO” for Elkhorn Hotsprings, and Maverick Mountain including all communities south to Shale Creek and Clark Creek on the north end of Grasshopper Valley. Critical fire weather continues on the Bobcat Lakes and Sand Creek Fires as they both move in a south and eastern track. Firefighters are prioritizing structure protection as additional firefighting resources continue to arrive.
Now is the time to leave in an orderly manner if you are in the impacted area. If you need assistance with evacuation and placement please leave a message with Beaverhead County Emergency Services at 406-683-3771.
An official closure is in place for National Forest System (NFS) area, roads, and trails in the Wise River Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in the area as defined. Forest Road 2420 (Steel Road). All Campgrounds (Pettengill, Fourth of July, Boulder Creek, Lodgepole, Willow) along the Forest Road 73 (Pioneer Scenic Byway), from Forest Service Road 186 (Pettengill Creek) to Forest Service Road 1299 (Lacy Creek Road), for approximately 7 miles, including any/all dispersed camping areas and turnouts (Maurice & Lacy View) along the above route, Forest Road 73 (Pioneer Scenic Byway). The Pioneer Scenic Byway is now closed from Sheep Creek to Grasshopper Overlook for public and firefighter safety.
Weather and Fire Behavior:
Persistent hot and dry conditions continue with very little overnight recovery. Firefighters are preparing for a slight chance of isolated dry thunderstorms that could bring gusty and erratic outflow winds Saturday with little chance of moisture. Critical fire behavior weather is expected to persist with hot, dry, gusty winds and unstable atmosphere.
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), (b), a closure is in effect for National Forest System (NFS) area, roads, and trails in the Wise River Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in the area as defined. Forest Road 2420 (Steel Road). All Campgrounds (Pettengill, Fourth of July, Boulder Creek, Lodgepole, Willow) along the Forest Road 73 (Pioneer Scenic Byway), from Forest Service Road 186 (Pettengill Creek) to Forest Service Road 1299 (Lacy Creek Road), for approximately 7 miles, including any/all dispersed camping areas and turnouts (Maurice & Lacy View) along the above route, Forest Road 73 (Pioneer Scenic Byway). The Pioneer Scenic Byway is now closed from Sheep Creek to Grasshopper Overlook for public and firefighter safety.
Editor’s note: Corrected the ranger district for the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway closure area from 'Wisdom' to 'Wise River' Ranger District.
Montana's outdoor week, in your inbox at 7am Friday.