NewsWildfire Watch

Actions

Bridger Foothills Fire estimated at 11,000 acres as of Saturday night

Posted at 8:16 AM, Sep 06, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-06 10:16:36-04

Marna Daley with the Custer Gallatin National Forest tells MTN News the Bridger Foothills Fire grew to an estimated 11,000 acres Saturday in a day of "unprecedented" fire activity.

The fire remains zero percent contained.

With 120 personnel working the fire, air support was called off because of extreme wind and zero visibility Saturday afternoon.

Three firefighters were forced to deploy fire shelters before crews got them out and transported to Bozeman Health. They are reportedly in good condition as of Saturday night.

One hotshot crew member was struck in the chest by a rolling rock and was treated and released from the hospital.

Several structures have been affected by fire, but officials are currently unable to get an exact number due to extreme conditions in the area.

Evacuations are in effect for Kelly Canyon, Jackson Creek, and all of Bridger Canyon. Brackett Creek-area residents are urged to voluntarily evacuate.

Skunk Creek Road is now under an evacuation warning.

People who have not been evacuated are urged to voluntarily leave the area until it is safe to return.

According to Inciweb, "A Type I Incident Management Team is ordered and will be inbriefing at 10:00 Monday, September 7, 2020.

The update said firefighters were forced to pull off the fire to focus on structure protection for much of Saturday afternoon due to safety and fire behavior.

The cause of the Bridger Foothills Fire is unknown at this time and remains under investigation.

RELATED: