Officials have opened access to the Bear Trap area to the public. Visitors to public lands are asked to be cautious with fire and to make sure that campfires and cigarettes are extinguished before leaving any area you may be visiting. A small spark coupled with winds can cause a fire to grow quickly.
The Bear Trap fire located in the Bear Trap unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness is currently 60 percent contained and is 104 acres. Firefighters plan to continue to extinguish hot spots today. The fire started by an escaped campfire near the intersection of the Madison River and Bear Trap Creek.
Officials are asking for anyone who might have knowledge or seen anything near the origin of the fire on Sat. March 10 that would help in the investigation are asked to contact the Madison County Sherriff at (406) 843-5301.
Firefighters from the BLM and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, are managing this fire.
