The area along Rock Creek and Meeteetse Trail Rd previously under an Evacuation Warning is now being Evacuated. This includes all homes in the area west of Meeteetse Trail Road, and on the east side of Highway 212 from Meeteetse Trail Road to Westminster Spires Church Camp. It also includes all USDA Forest Service Recreation Residences in Corral Creek, Spring Creek, Snow Creek, and Sheep Creek. All campgrounds, dispersed camping and trailheads are closed in this area on both sides of Highway 212 from Red Lodge to the Lake Fork of Rock Creek, including the camping area to the south of the Lake Fork Road.    

 

Evacuation Orders are also now in place for homes south of Highway 308 from Red Lodge east to Wolf Creek Road (with the exception of the Town of Bearcreek), south of Wolf Creek Road to Highway 72, east side of Highway 72 to Grove Creek road , and everything north of Grove Creek. The Town of Bearcreek is under an Evacuation Warning.

 

A shelter has been set up at the Red Lodge Community Church at 308 S. Broadway.  Small pets are welcome as long as they are restrained. 

 

The Red Cross will be setting up a shelter at the Veteran Memorial Civic Center in Red Lodge at 215 14th Street West.

 

The Robertson Draw Fire, burning south of Red Lodge, Montana along the eastern edge of the Beartooth Front, is seeing increased fire activity this afternoon. The area remains under a Red Flag Warning until 10:00 p.m. tonight.

 

Due to the increase in fire activity, the virtual community meeting that was scheduled for tonight at 6:00 p.m. has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

The Robertson Draw Fire, burning south of Red Lodge, Montana near Clark, Wyoming is estimated at 2,000 acres this morning. Evacuations and Evacuation Warnings are in place for multiple areas near the fire. Firefighters are anticipating a critical fire weather day as the hot, dry, and windy weather conditions persist. With the expected weather, active fire behavior and continued growth is anticipated.

A virtual Facebook live public meeting is planned for tonight, June 15 at 6:00 p.m. MDT. The meeting will be live streamed from the Custer Gallatin National Forest’s Facebook page at CusterGallatinNationalForest.

• Size: about 2,000 acres 
• Evacuations: The Gold and Ruby Creek areas are being re-evacuated this morning. 
• Evacuation Warning: The North and South Fork Grove areas, the area west of Meeteetse Trail Road, and the east side of Highway 212 from Meeteetse Trail Road to Westminster Spires Church Camp. USDA Forest Service Recreation Residences in Corral Creek, Spring Creek, Snow Creek, and Sheep Creek. An evacuation warning is issued from the county sheriff and alerts people to be ready to go if needed. People with medical, functional, or other needs should consider evacuating if possible. 
• Closures: An area closure is in place for the area south of Highway 212, east to the area along the Beartooth Front and south to the Wyoming border. This does not include the campgrounds and homes along East Side Road. Line Creek Road is closed in Wyoming
• Roads closed to the public – local access only allowed: Meeteetse Trail Road, Grove Creek Road, Robertson Draw Road 
• Cause: under investigation 
• Resources on Scene: There are about 80 firefighters working to suppress the fire. Resources include handcrews, engines, helicopters, a rappel crew, and support personnel. Air tankers are supporting the incident as needed and available. 
• Management: Bob Culbreth, Type 3 Incident Commander. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered. 
• Structures Threatened: none at this time 
• Vegetation: burning in sage, grass and timber 
• Reported: June 13, 2021 around 3:30 p.m. MDT 

Firefighter and public safety are the top priority. Efforts will be focused to protect resources at risk including assessing and implementing structure protection needs, implementing back burning efforts and continuing building fireline. Additional aircraft and crews will be arriving today to assist the firefighting effort. Today’s operational goals are to keep the fire north of Line Creek, West of the Forest Service boundary along the face of the Beartooths, South of South Grove Creek and East of the Line Creek Plateau.

For more information please visit InciWeb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7537/ or visit us on Facebook at CusterGallatinNationalForest or ShoshoneNF. Additional information can also be found on the Custer Gallatin Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin.

Evacuations: The Gold and Ruby Creek areas are being re-evacuated this morning.

Evacuation Warning: The North and South Fork Grove areas, the area west of Meeteetse Trail Road, and the east side of Highway 212 from Meeteetse Trail Road to Westminster Spires Church Camp. USDA Forest Service Recreation Residences in Corral Creek, Spring Creek, Snow Creek, and Sheep Creek. An evacuation warning is issued from the county sheriff and alerts people to be ready to go if needed. People with medical, functional, or other needs should consider evacuating if possible.

The Robertson Draw Fire continues burning about 12 miles south of Red Lodge, Montana and 8 miles north of Clark, Wyoming. The fire was estimated at over 200 acres this afternoon. The fire has been very active today and several spot fires were reported north of the main fire – which is burning in timber along the edge of the plateau at this time.

• Evacuations: The Gold and Ruby Creek areas had been evacuated, but evacuations have been lifted as of 7:00 p.m. Monday evening. The Gold and Ruby Creek areas will remain in pre-evacuation standby. The North and South Fork Grove Creek areas remain on pre-evacuation standby. 
• Size: about 200 acres 
• Closures: An area closure is in place for the area south of Highway 212, east to the area along the Beartooth Front and south to the Wyoming border. This does not include the campgrounds and homes along East Side Road. Line Creek Road is closed in Wyoming 
• Cause: under investigation 
• Resources on Scene: There are 80 firefighters working to suppress the fire including two hand crews and two helicopters. Air tankers are on order as well as a Type II incident management team. Bob Culbreth is the current Incident Commander. Management: Bob Culbreth, Type 3 Incident Commander. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered. 
• Structures Threatened: none at this time 
• Vegetation: burning in sage, grass and timber 
• Reported: June 13, 2021 around 3:30 p.m. MDT 

There is a red flag warning in the area until Tuesday, June 15 at 10pm. The high temperatures, low humidity and winds associated with this weather may lead to high fire activity over the next day or so.

For more information please visit InciWeb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7537/ or visit us on Facebook at CusterGallatinNationalForest or ShoshoneNF. Additional information can also be found on the Custer Gallatin Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin.

 

TOWNSEND, Mont. July 2, 2021 — Firefighters have made great strides in containing the Deep Creek Canyon Fire east of Townsend.  With the increase in containment, fire managers have decided to reduce the area closure to the fire perimeter and just a couple of spur routes needed for fire traffic.  Many developed recreation sites including Deep Creek Picnic Area, Skidway and Gipsy Lake Campgrounds, Thompson Guard Station and Rillway Cabin have reopened ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Duck Creek pass is also open for travel.

“We want to thank the communities in Broadwater and Meagher County for all the support they’ve shown,” said Acting District Ranger Erin Fryer. “We are happy to be able to reduce our closure area, but with fire danger is still very high and we are remaining vigilant.”

The Deep Creek Canyon Fire started on June 13 and is now 98% contained.  The area closure is necessary for public and firefighter safety as many hazards remain including hazard trees, interior spot fires, and hollowed root wells that can cause the ground to collapse unexpectedly. 

Visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7536/ for the latest updates on the Deep Creek Canyon Fire and visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/hlcnf/ to view the new area closure map.  

# # #

 

TOWNSEND, Mont. July 2, 2021 — Firefighters have made great strides in containing the Deep Creek Canyon Fire east of Townsend.  With the increase in containment, fire managers have decided to reduce the area closure to the fire perimeter and just a couple of spur routes needed for fire traffic.  Many developed recreation sites including Deep Creek Picnic Area, Skidway and Gipsy Lake Campgrounds, Thompson Guard Station and Rillway Cabin have reopened ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Duck Creek pass is also open for travel.

“We want to thank the communities in Broadwater and Meagher County for all the support they’ve shown,” said Acting District Ranger Erin Fryer. “We are happy to be able to reduce our closure area, but with fire danger is still very high and we are remaining vigilant.”

The Deep Creek Canyon Fire started on June 13 and is now 98% contained.  The area closure is necessary for public and firefighter safety as many hazards remain including hazard trees, interior spot fires, and hollowed root wells that can cause the ground to collapse unexpectedly. 

Visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7536/ for the latest updates on the Deep Creek Canyon Fire and visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/hlcnf/ to view the new area closure map.  

 

# # #

This will be the last update for the Deep Creek Canyon Fire unless significant fire activity occurs.  Please contact your local Ranger District with questions.  Updates to the Area Closure will be available on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest webpage and Facebook page.

Townsend RD: (406) 266-3425; White Sulphur Springs RD: (406) 547-3361
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7536/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HLCNF
Twitter: @LewisandClarkNF
Email:  2021.deepcreekcanyon@firenet.gov
#DeepCreekFire


Incident Commander: Mike Goicoechea

This will be the last update for the Deep Creek Canyon Fire unless significant fire activity occurs.  Please contact your local Ranger District with questions.  Updates to the Area Closure will be available on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest webpage and Facebook page.

Northern Rockies Team 1 will Transfer Command of the fire to local resources, with Kenny Spint as Incident Commander, at 7:30p.m. this evening. It has been a pleasure and honor to serve the communities of Townsend and White Sulphur Springs and outlying areas.

Firefighters continue to work alongside line personnel from Vigilante Electric Cooperative to remove hazard trees near Highway 12 and around power lines to mitigate risks to the traveling public and utility infrastructure.

A Message from Vigilante Electric Cooperative: “We are expecting to have the power restored to the Grassy Mountain subdivision around noon today.  Give or take a couple hours.  At this time, we still have at least one pole to set and a few spans of wire to string in.  We made good progress yesterday.  Again, this was very dangerous work, in steep and rugged terrain and I am proud of the way the guys handled the adversities.  In addition, I am very pleased and encouraged with the way the entire group of diverse interests related to this fire came together and worked as a team to get us through what started as literally a life or death crisis.  Kudos to all involved because it did take a true team effort!!  Rollie Miller, General Manager”  (www.facebook.com/vigilanteelectric)

Operations: Containment is now at 95%. Yesterday, Fire crews meticulously patrolled the perimeter of the fire looking for areas of heat.  No areas of heat were noted, outside of the 5% uncontained area on the northwest edge.  Firefighters will concentrate their efforts over the next several days to extinguish these pockets of heat.  Smoke from smoldering stumps and logs could be visible within the interior of the fire’s perimeter for the next several weeks.

Weather: Today will be sunny with temps ranging from 75-85F and a 30% chance of thunderstorms as a weak cold front passes through the area.  The cold front will cause a wind shift and gusts up to 30 mph today.  The extended forecast is calling for a slight chance of thunderstorms followed by the possibility of record-breaking heat.

Evacuations, Closures, and Additional Information:

The 35-mph maximum speed limit on Highway 12 between Townsend and White Sulphur Springs is strictly enforced for the safety of the public, firefighters, and the utility cooperators working in the fire area. Use extreme caution when traveling and DO NOT stop along the highway. EXPECT DELAYS and plan accordingly. The number one priority is firefighter and public safety.

Visit: https://go.usa.gov/x6UsE to view the map and Order #01-15-11-21-12 of the closure area. The closure order will be in effect until July 15, unless rescinded earlier. Know before you go!

Sign up for emergency alerts at https://sheriff.meaghercounty.net/ and https://www.broadwatercountysheriff.org/alerts-signup

For wildfire preparedness information visit firewise.org and wildlandfirersg.org

For information about returning home after a wildfire visit: www.ready.gov/wildfires#after 

Information Line: (406) 272-6349, 8 AM-8 PM
Deep Creek Canyon Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7536/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HLCNF
Twitter: @LewisandClarkNF
Email:  2021.deepcreekcanyon@firenet.gov
#DeepCreekFire

Incident Commander: Mike Goicoechea

The Deep Creek Canyon Fire is now 90 percent contained. Effective Tuesday, June 22, all evacuation warnings in Broadwater and Meagher Counties have been lifted. Firefighters are working with line personnel from Vigilante Electric Cooperative to remove hazard trees near Highway 12 and around power lines to mitigate risks to the traveling public and utility infrastructure. Northern Rockies Team 1, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and Montana Department of Natural Resources cannot emphasize enough that the safety and protection of the firefighters and the community has been of utmost importance throughout the incident.

A Message from Vigilante Electric Cooperative: “It will be tomorrow before we get the power restored up there to the Grassy Mountain subdivision.  We have 52 of the 58 poles set and we are hoping the worst of those to set are behind us.  We still need to string the wire into some of the poles that were set yesterday.  There is quite a bit of “cleanup work” to do but we will do that after the power is restored. They guys are doing an awesome job up there in that steep and rugged terrain and I am extremely proud of them.  Again, the USFS, DNRC, state and local law enforcement, and those fire crews up there have been great to work with.  The behind the scenes folks that get this information out certainly know what they are doing. Thanks, Rollie Miller, General Manager.”  (www.facebook.com/vigilanteelectric)

Operations: Fire crews are mopping up and patrolling the fire’s perimeter. Resources are shifting to the northwest flank to concentrate efforts to mop up and secure the perimeter in that area to contain any remaining hot spots. Smoke from smoldering stumps and logs could be visible within the interior of the fire’s perimeter for the next several weeks.

Weather: Mostly sunny with temperatures reaching the upper 70s and low 80s. Relative humidity is around 20%. Today the winds will be stronger gusting to 20-25 mph with the possibility of 45 mph gusts.  There is a 30% chance of thunderstorms between 3:00 and 9:00p.m.

Evacuations, Closures, and Additional Information:

The 35-mph maximum speed limit on Highway 12 between Townsend and White Sulphur Springs is strictly enforced for the safety of the public, firefighters, and the utility cooperators working in the fire area. Use extreme caution when traveling and DO NOT stop along the highway. EXPECT DELAYS and plan accordingly.

Visit: https://go.usa.gov/x6UsE to view the map and Order #01-15-11-21-12 of the closure area. The closure order will be in effect until July 15, unless rescinded earlier. Know before you go!

Sign up for emergency alerts at https://sheriff.meaghercounty.net/ and https://www.broadwatercountysheriff.org/alerts-signup

For wildfire preparedness information visit firewise.org and wildlandfirersg.org

For information about returning home after a wildfire visit: www.ready.gov/wildfires#after 

Information Line: (406) 272-6349, 8 AM-8 PM

Deep Creek Canyon Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7536/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HLCNF
Twitter: @LewisandClarkNF
Email:  2021.deepcreekcanyon@firenet.gov
#DeepCreekFire

Incident Commander: Mike Goicoechea

The Deep Creek Canyon Fire is now 75% percent contained. Smoke from smoldering stumps and logs will be visible within the fire perimeter for weeks and months to come. Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 1 will be releasing resources as appropriate for the size and scope of the incident. Team leaders are working closely with agency administrators and other cooperators to ensure the incident is utilizing resources efficiently, effectively and all sections are being fiscally responsible. As always, the safety and protection of our firefighters and the community is our highest priority.

A Message from Vigilante Electric Cooperative: “We made good progress yesterday and have 45 of the 58 structures set. Today, however, comes with at least four, possibly five poles that need to have the holes dug and poles set by hand because of the inaccessibility for equipment in the rough terrain. Progress will be slower today as this is very difficult and dangerous work. Late tomorrow or Thursday we expect to have the power restored, but we will see how today goes. I toured the site yesterday and the guys are doing a great job considering the terrain and working conditions. Thanks, Rollie Miller.”  (www.facebook.com/vigilanteelectric)

Operations: Fire crews are mopping up and patrolling the fire line to the north and south of Highway 12. They are utilizing direct fire line construction tactics to reduce the potential for fire growth in the northeast. Along the south and northwestern perimeter, resources are securing constructed fire line and gridding for hot spots. Sawyers with chainsaws are removing snags, or hazard trees, near the highway and around power lines to mitigate risks to critical infrastructure.

Weather: Mostly sunny with temperatures reaching the upper 70s. Relative humidity is 20%. Winds at the ridge tops are out of the NW at 15 mph, gusting to 25 mph.

Evacuations, Closures, and Additional Information:

The 35-mph maximum speed limit on Highway 12 between Townsend and White Sulphur Springs is strictly enforced for the safety of the public, firefighters, and the utility cooperators working in the fire area. Use extreme caution when traveling and DO NOT stop along the highway. EXPECT DELAYS and plan accordingly.

A reminder to all residents who were previously evacuated: you are in the “SET” status and should be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.

Visit: https://go.usa.gov/x6UsE to view the map and Order #01-15-11-21-12 of the closure area. The closure order will be in effect until July 15, unless rescinded earlier. Know before you go!

Sign up for emergency alerts at https://sheriff.meaghercounty.net/ and https://www.broadwatercountysheriff.org/alerts-signup

For wildfire preparedness information visit firewise.org and wildlandfirersg.org