Single Publication

Custer Gallatin National Forest

Forest Service News Release

Public Affairs: Mariah Leuschen-Lonergan, 406-548-1174; www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin

mariah.leuschen-lonergan@usda.gov; Marna Daley, 406-570-5526 marna.daley@usda.gov

Conditions Vary, Call Local Ranger District for Latest

Three Districts Have Emergency Public Safety Closure, Bozeman District Most Gates Open, Hebgen Lake Gates Delayed.

Bozeman, MT- June 16, 2022 – After widespread flooding, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday the Custer Gallatin National Forest is seeing variable conditions across its seven ranger districts and it is paramount for recreationists and anybody heading out on the Forest to plan ahead, stay aware of surroundings and check-in on conditions. Bozeman Ranger District will be opening all seasonal June 16 gates on time, except for Upper Fairly Lake Road (#74) which will remain closed a while longer. Hebgen Lake Ranger District in West Yellowstone will be delaying the opening of their June 16 gates, due to high water and some flooding.

“In West Yellowstone, we did have some flooding occur, our staff is evaluating all road conditions, cleaning out culverts and ensuing the stability of roads and bridges, said Jason Brey, Hebgen Lake District Ranger. Once we can evaluate each road or trail it will open as quickly as possible.”

“In Bozeman we experienced some flooding, but assessments of local road conditions show only minor damage. Some of our roads are still wet, so we ask forest users to please exercise caution and not generate resource damage if they come across area that are too wet,” said Corey Lewellen, Bozeman District Ranger.”

Additionally, the Beartooth, Yellowstone and Gardiner Ranger Districts, which encompass the Paradise Valley, areas around Gardiner, the entire Absaroka-Beartooth Complex and the Crazy Mountains are under an emergency public safety closure. Engineering, Recreation and Fire staff across the Forest are focused on life, human safety, and property, including helping out local counties and assessing critical infrastructure across those three districts.

“We have enough washed-out roads and bridges, unstable conditions, and unknown situations out there on the Yellowstone Ranger Districts that at this point we are asking everyone to stay away from these three districts for the time being, until conditions can be assessed” said Rebecca Hammargren, Acting District Ranger, Yellowstone Ranger District.

Latest conditions and questions for local Ranger Districts can be directed to:

• Ashland Ranger District - 406-784-2344 Beartooth Ranger District -406-446-2103

• Bozeman Ranger District - 406-522-2520 Gardiner Ranger District -406-848-7375

• Hebgen Lake Ranger District - 406-823-6961 Sioux Ranger District -605-797-4432

• Yellowstone Ranger District - 406-222-1892

Information can also be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin or Custer Gallatin National Forest | Facebook including full closure details and maps. The eastern Sioux and Ashland Ranger Districts are open, but as always please call for local conditions.

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