EBS STAFF
Updated Aug. 22 at 10:00 a.m.: The Bivens Fire has grown significantly along its southwest corner to 2,219 acres and is 0% contained. There are currently 392 personnel assigned to the fire, including a hotshot crew, with a focus on structure protection and creating manmade barriers to contain the fire.
Updated on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.: The Bivens Fire is currently 1,932 acres in size and 0% contained, burning thick fir timber. Fire activity is described as “active” and crews are using roadways to create a containment line. The Cloudrest Fire is 1,156 acres in size and 0% contained, also burning thick fir timber. Helicopters continue assisting firefighters with bucket drops with additional resources arriving Sunday, according to an InciWeb report.
Two fires in the Tobacco Root Mountains, northwest of Big Sky and west of Gallatin Valley, burn steadily as crews attempt to gain the upper hand, made difficult by ongoing red flag weather conditions. A Red Flag Warning is defined by warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
The Bivens Fire was identified Aug. 13 and is located 11 miles northeast of Alder and 10 miles east of Sheridan, and is approximately 300 acres in size. Thirty-five personnel are on scene, including helicopter crews assisting in bucket drops.
The Cloudrest Fire was identified on Aug. 14 and is located nine miles northeast of Sheridan and 12 miles east of Twin Bridges in the Indian Creek drainage just northwest of the Bivens Fire, and is approximately 500 acres in size. Ten personnel are on scene, including helicopter bucket drops. Both fires are growing steadily in heavy, dry timber consisting of dead and downed trees and crews are battling hot, windy conditions. Cause of both fires is still under investigation and are under management of the United States Department of Agriculture.
“With the third day of critical fire weather conditions, there is potential for active fire behavior and incident growth,” explained the activity report on InciWeb. “The majority of the fire has remained within the interior footprint, but gusty winds have increased spotting potential.”
The northwestern end of Gallatin Valley saw a drastic increase in smoke Friday night, followed by a dramatic sunset behind the Tobacco Roots. According to AirNow, as of the morning of Aug. 16, Bozeman is sitting between a 55 AQI (“moderate” air quality) and 47 AQI (“good” air quality) although that could change as temperatures increase throughout the day. Big Sky has an AQI of 37 (“good” air quality). Those with respiratory issues should keep an eye on the AQI as the weekend progresses.
A third fire in Madison County, the Horn Fire, was last estimated at 2,800 acres in size and 20% contained as of the afternoon of Aug. 15. Located near U.S. Highway 287 and Montana Highway 87, the major freeways remain open but travelers should be prepared for closures at any time and expect to see smoke when in the area. Horn Creek Road, Cliff Lake Road and Wade Lake Road remain closed, and evacuations for the area have been downgraded to an evacuation warning.
