BSFD and agencies dodge ‘huge bullet’ through response to morning fire
By Jack Reaney ASSOCIATE EDITOR
This morning, July 25, the Big Sky Fire Department and supporting agencies responded to a fire approximately four miles up Taylor Fork Road between Big Sky and West Yellowstone.
The fire was started by the generator on the back of a vehicle, and responding firefighters discovered a truck and RV “fully involved with propane tanks full,” according to BSFD Deputy Chief Seth Barker. The first responders’ initial concern was the possibility of flames reaching the forest.
The fire reached a minimum size of two acres before being completely extinguished. The U.S. Forest Service remains on scene but Barker emphasized the fire is no longer a threat.
“Dodged a huge bullet today,” Barker told EBS over the phone. Yesterday, Gallatin County was included in a red flag warning for critical fire weather conditions on Thursday from noon to 11 p.m., based on low humidities, hot temperatures, strong gusty winds, a wind shift with a cold front, and increasing thunderstorm activity.
“Thanks to the good hard work of our team, we were able to extinguish it really quickly,” Barker said. He advises against any open fires while camping.
Barker added gratitude for agencies that sprang into action.
“Great thanks to Big Sky Fire, the Yellowstone Club [fire department], Gallatin County 911 and the U.S. Forest Service,” he said. “Big shoutout to the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch for showing up with some water to help us out.”
In addition to sending resources to the scene, the Yellowstone Mountain Club Fire Department also sent extra staff to the Big Sky Fire Department to stand by for 911 calls.
The critical fire conditions will continue until 11 p.m. Thursday, until further notice.
