Sheriff: Structures lost in wildfire near Bozeman
A wildfire burns in the Bridger Mountains near Bozeman on Saturday. (Inciweb)
Evacuation orders were issued Saturday for some residents near Bozeman due to a dangerous wildfire burning in the Bridger Mountains on the outskirts of town.
The Bridger Foothills Fire was estimated at 7,000 acres Sunday morning. It started on Friday near the "M" trail and quickly raced over the mountain ridge into Bridger Canyon.
According to a media release from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the fire jumped Bridger Canyon Road on Saturday afternoon.
“We are losing structures [and] are continuing to evacuate residents,” the release stated.
“The situation is dangerous and changing rapidly.”
The Sheriff's Office issued evacuations for Bridger Canyon Road, Jackson Creek and Kelly Canyon. Residents in Skunk Creek were advised to leave. People who have not been evacuated were urged to voluntarily leave the area until it is safe to return.
Bridger Canyon Road from Story Mill Road to Sedan remains closed to non-residents. All trails in the Bridger and Bangtail mountains are closed.
The cause of the fire is unknown. Multiple agencies have responded to the fire.
A cold front is expected to move into the region Sunday, bringing wetting rain for a period on Monday.