UPDATE: Crews continue work at Bear Trap 2 Fire

Posted: Jun 27, 2012 12:50 PM by KBZK Media Center
Updated: Jun 28, 2012 8:52 AM

Two structures have been lost and evacuations are in effect for Blacks Ford south to Norris, Gallatin County at the Bear Trap 2 Fire burning 20 miles northeast of Ennis along the Madison River.

Pre-evacuation notifications are in effect for Blacks Ford north into Gallatin County. No injuries have been reported.

One Type 1 Hotshot Crew and two Type 2 helicopters are now assigned to the fire as well as a 20-person crew with additional resources requested.

Norris Road (MT Hwy 84) is currently open from Blacks Ford to Norris. Restrictions on Madison River Road are also lifted and travel is allowed. Recreation facilities in the Bear Trap Canyon corridor along the Madison River remain closed. Floating the Madison River is not recommended, much of the Madison River corridor within the fire area is closed for public and firefighter safety. All BLM lands within the Lower Madison River Special Recreation Management Area remain closed.

Crews plan to construct a fireline as more resources arrive.

The fire is currently estimated at 3,000+ acres and is 0% contained.

CLOSURES UPDATE: Norris Road in Gallatin County from Four Corners to Madison River Road is open. Norris Road (MT Hwy 84) from Madison River Road to Norris is still closed. The restrictions on Madison River Road are lifted and travel is also allowed. Recreation facilities in the Bear Trap Canyon corridor along the Madison River remain closed. Floating the Madison River is not recommended, much of the Madison River corridor within the fire area is closed for public and firefighter safety. All BLM lands within the Lower Madison River Special Recreation Management Area remain closed.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has assumed command of the Bear Trap 2 fire.

The fire, which is burning 20 miles northeast of Ennis along the Madison River, was estimated at more than 4,500 acres late Tuesday night, according to Beartrap Incident Commander Steve DiGiovanna.

The fire flared up late Tuesday night, burning "at lightning speed," DiGiovanna reports. It moved north through Madison County and into Gallatin County, a distance of more than four miles. Fire crews did their best to corral the fire but getting in front of it was out of the question, and Highway 84 was closed to all traffic.

Strong winds helped pushed the fire, causing it to jump the Madison River near the Warm Springs boat launch. Flames reached heights of over 100 feet at times.

The Cold Springs Road area was evacuated, and pre-evacuation notices were issued in the Madison Road area on Tuesday afternoon, according to inciweb.org.

Floating and fishing access sites in the area are closed. On Tuesday night, officials instructed motorists in the area to watch for signage regarding closures, since they could change with the situation.

Today, winds are expected to be calmer and temperatures cooler.

We will continue to follow this fire and provide updates throughout the day.

(Photos courtesy of Steve DiGiovanna)