Fire size estimate is 755 acres as of Aug. 25; does not currently pose threat to Big Sky
EBS STAFF
Updated Aug. 26: As the fire grows, so does containment of the area. The Custer Gallatin National Forest reported on Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. that the West Fork Fire is 755 acres in size and 30% contained. The Temporary Flight Restriction in the fire area near Hebgen Lake remains in place, as well as recommendations to avoid the area.
Updated Aug. 25 at 9:50 a.m.: According to the Custer Gallatin National Forest’s Aug. 24 update, the West Fork Fire is 556 acres in size and 25% contained. In total, 91 personnel have contributed to firefighting efforts, with a 20-person crew working on containment lines on the east side of the fire yesterday. A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect for the area meaning drones are strictly prohibited.
Updated Aug. 22 at 1:00 p.m.: Today, more accurate mapping has reduced the acreage of the West Fork Fire to 421 acres. Visitors will see active aviation operations around Hebgen Lake and are asked to avoid the fire area while crews work. Containment remains at 5% and currently 47 personnel are on scene with a focus on constructing containment lines on the north, northeast, east and south flanks of the fire.
The most updated trailer land road closures can be found here. Custer Gallatin National Forest posted a reminder that the area is under a temporary flight restriction. No evacuation orders are in effect, but area residents are encouraged to sign up for the Community Notification System for updates. While smoke is visible in the area, the fire does not currently pose a threat to Big Sky.
Updated Aug. 21 at 4 p.m.: The fire has grown to 650 acres, as of 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, and grew overnight to the north, reaching Lightning Lake. Firefighters are working to construct containment lines on the fire’s east and west flanks.
“The fire does not currently pose a threat to Big Sky,” an Aug. 21 press release from Custer Gallatin National Forest stated. “All visitors and residents are advised to stay clear of the area, especially aviation operations at Hebgen Lake. Helicopters from a lend lease were used on the West Fork Fire from the Bevins fire yesterday. Firefighting aircraft may be dipping into Hebgen Lake: drones are strictly prohibited in the fire area or near Hebgen Lake, as their use can ground aircraft and jeopardize safety. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for the fire area.”
A series of roads and trails are closed due to firefighting efforts and safety risks. Those closures can be viewed here. No evacuations have been ordered as of Thursday afternoon.
Updated Aug. 20 at 9 p.m.: As of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the fire had grown to nearly 700 acres with 0% containment, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Updated Aug. 20 at 1 p.m.: At 12 p.m. the Custer Gallatin National Forest shared that the fire has grown to 200 acres in size. Twelve smoke jumpers, four rappelers, three engines, a Type 3 Incident Commander and Big Sky Fire Department’s Type 5 Engine and fuels crew have responded to the scene and more resources have been ordered, according to the release.
“This is an emerging incident. The fire does not currently pose a threat to Big Sky,” the Aug. 20 mid-day release stated, urging residents to sign up for Gallatin County Emergency Management’s Community Notification System to receive updates about their area.
The U.S. Forest Service has requested no drone-flying in the area of Hebgen Lake, which would cause firefighting aircraft to need to ground immediately.
Trails and roads in the area of the fire will be closed by Custer Gallatin National Forest later today and the public is advised to stay away from the Taylor Fork and Beaver Creek areas until further notice.
Gallatin County is under a Red Flag Warning until the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 20, with projected high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions.
The West Fork Fire, located about 20 miles south of Big Sky in the southern Madison Range, produced a large column of visible smoke from Big Sky and West Yellowstone just before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The fire is located just north of the Beaver Creek Forest Service cabin in the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
According to a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office press release, the fire was approximately 50 acres in size at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 19. Last night, the Big Sky Fire Department sent a Type 5 engine and two command staff to assist the U.S. Forest Service, who responded to the fire initially.
“At this time, the fire does not pose a threat to Big Sky,” the GCSO Aug. 19 release stated. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Agencies responding to the West Fork Fire include: the U.S. Forest Service, Big Sky Fire Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin County Emergency Management, Hebgen Basin Fire District, and West Yellowstone Police Department.
Fires started across the southwest Montana region in the past week, including the Tobacco Roots’ Bivens Creek and Cloudrest fires, the Elk Creek Fire near Gallatin Gateway, the McAllister Fire near Ennis Lake and the Horn Fire west of Hebgen Lake.
