Everbridge emergency notification test scheduled June 5
By Jon Trapp GUEST COLUMNIST
Last month, I was in the middle of our wildfire Neighborhood Ambassador training when I got a call requesting immediate support for a rapidly growing wildfire just south of Red Lodge. It was April 20. I gathered my fire gear and headed east with a group of wildland engines from Big Sky and Gallatin County.
Long before arriving in Red Lodge that evening, I could see the flames. Above normal temperatures, low snowpack and strong winds were combined to create unusually active fire behavior for that time of year—and that time of night.
As our firefighters prepared to go to work, I learned that multiple neighborhoods were evacuated. People had to grab their belongings and flee their homes. Very few of them were prepared for this in April. The new reality in Montana is that we need to be prepared for evacuation almost year-round.
As the last of the snow melts off in the Big Sky area, the normal wildfire season is approaching quickly. Mountainous terrain and dense forest conditions put our community at an increased risk for fast-moving wildfires. Rising temperatures, ongoing drought and frequent strong winds mean a new fire start can quickly threaten neighborhoods. Preparing your home and building an evacuation plan before smoke is on the horizon is critical for community safety.
When fire managers determine that a wildfire has the potential to impact structures, we will issue a notification through a system called Everbridge. Everbridge is an emergency notification system that bypasses standard communication delays to send real-time alerts regarding evacuation orders, wildfire movements and shelter locations. Safe evacuation requires planning and early notice, and Everbridge ensures residents receive official instructions via text, phone call or email, the moment danger escalates.
All full-time residents, seasonal workers, and property owners should visit the alerts portal online to create a profile, enter their local address, and select their preferred notification methods. While this system is managed through Gallatin County, the Madison County side of Big Sky will also receive these alerts.
This system also has a simple text alert notification for short-time visitors. All guests need to do is text “BIGSKY” to 888777, and they’ll immediately receive emergency alerts via texts for a short period of time.
Heads up—there will be a test of the Everbridge emergency alert system on Friday, June 5 at 12 p.m., so if you want to see how it works, be sure to sign up before then.
Finally, we encourage residents and visitors to check out the Fire Adapted Big Sky Wildfire Hub website, full of additional resources including evacuation plans.
Wildfire will come to Big Sky. Let’s get ready together.
Jon Trapp is division chief of wildland fire for the Big Sky Fire Department.
