UPDATE: 9/15

Due to the firefighters’ hard work, the Horseshoe fire was declared 100 % contained at 5 PM today. A small group of resources continue to address an area of residual heat in the fire’s interior. Resources will continue to demobilize today and tomorrow.

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 A limited number of resources will be demobilized today while the remaining resources will put in a full day of work on the fireline. The remaining crews headed out to the fire this morning to build and improve fireline; search for heat along the fires perimeter; use air resources to haul water as needed; mop-up; and patrol around structures. Fire activity yesterday was minimal with creeping and smoldering.

SIZE:   1,223 acres

CONTAINMENT:   65%
CAUSE:   Under Investigation
FIRE LOCATION:   20 miles N of Logan, Gallatin County
PROTECTION:   Gallatin County
OWNERSHIP:   Private

RESOURCES:
3 Hand Crews (20 people/crew)
16 Engines
1 Helicopter
2 Heavy Equipment (1 skidgen, 1 water tender)
160 Total Personnel

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UPDATE 9/14

Crews headed out to the fire this morning to build and improve fireline; search for heat along the fires perimeter, use air resources to haul water as needed, mop-up and patrol around structures. Fire activity yesterday was minimal with creeping and smoldering. An infrared flight flew the fire last night discovering areas of heat that the crews will go and investigate and extinguish as needed.

As firefighters and law enforcement assessed the Horseshoe fire on Wednesday the situation emerged as a mixed blessing.  The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s (DNRC) County Assist Team and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office have identified approximately twelve structures that burned during the initial night of the fire. Structure loss includes: three primary residences; two secondary residences; and seven outbuildings.

RESOURCES:
3 Hand Crews (20 people/crew)
15 Engines
2 Helicopters
4 Heavy Equipment (2 skidgens, 2 water tender)
168 Total Personnel

SIZE: 1,223 acres

CONTAINMENT: 33%

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UPDATE: 9/13

In the chaotic first hours the fire burned around and among approximately 40 structures. The efforts of homeowners, local volunteer firefighters, and the DNRC paid off, as many of the yards of homes and cabins are islands of green in a sea of black. Local fire engines arrived, were soon joined by a DNRC helicopter, and firefighters began to assess priorities for the fire. Most importantly, the firefighters fulfilled their most critical mission; no residents, firefighters, or members of the public were hurt. The fire was well established when firefighters arrived on the scene late on Monday afternoon. Through quick communication and reliance on the Incident Command System the diverse firefighting resources converged on the scene and made a plan – stay safe, keep the public safe, and try to keep the fire away from homes and structures while watching each other’s’ backs.

Monday night fire behavior was extreme, with flame lengths reaching 50 feet as the juniper torched off the slopes of the Horseshoe Hills. Firefighters worked throughout the night, directing traffic, creating defensible space around homes and buildings, and generally bringing order to a chaotic scene. As the sun rose on the Horseshoe Fire on Tuesday morning the news was mixed. Some families and landowners would lose a great deal while others were spared. But the most extraordinary story may be the success of training, organization, and an unrelenting focus on the safety of firefighters and public. Combined with a great deal of luck and favorable weather the Horseshoe Fire will be contained and those people who lost property and homes in the fire can work to rebuild their lives

SIZE:   1525 acres
CONTAINMENT:   18%
CAUSE:   Under Investigation
FIRE LOCATION:   20 miles N of Logan, Gallatin County
PROTECTION:   Gallatin County
OWNERSHIP:   Private

RESOURCES:
3 Hand Crews (20 people/crew)
14 Engines
3 Helicopters
4 Smoke jumpers
7 Heavy Equipment (3 skidgens, 1 dozers, 3 water tender)

EVACUATIONS:  Currently there are no evacuations or closures in place.

FIRE INFORMATION PHONE: 402-804-8755

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UPDATE: 9/12

Today firefighters will continue to build and improve fire line; work on hot spots; and patrol around structures. Resources will continue arriving today to assist with containment. The team is working today in conjunction with Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office to determine the number of structures affected and more details will be released soon.
Night operations staffed the fire last night and monitored burning pockets of vegetation within the fires perimeter, no increase in size occurred. Night operations will also be in place this evening.
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s (DNRC) County Assist Team, Incident Commander Don Pyrah, is in place and managing the fire while working closely with Gallatin County.
The fire began on the afternoon of Monday, September 10th. Initial attack efforts, including ground and air resources, were critical to public safety and minimizing property loss.
PUBLIC MEETING: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 12, at Clarkston Fire Hall 12454 Clarkston Rd, Three Forks, MT 59752

SIZE: 2,000 acres
CONTAINMENT: 0%
CAUSE: Under Investigation
FIRE LOCATION: 20 miles N of Logan, Gallatin County
PROTECTION: Gallatin County
OWNERSHIP: Private
RESOURCES:
1 Hand Crew (20 people)
14 Engines
4 Helicopters
4 Smoke jumpers
4 Heavy Equipment (3 dozers, 1 water tender)
EVACUATIONS: Currently there are no evacuations or closures in place.
FIRE INFORMATION PHONE: 402-804-8755

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UPDATE: 9/11/18

Horseshoe Fire Update From Gallatin County Emergency Management: This morning, the fire was estimated at 2000 acres and is 0% contained. It is burning in steep, rugged terrain that is difficult for fire engines to access. Several structures have been burned but firefighters were able to save others. No details on the number of structures lost are available at this time. There have been no injuries or fatalities among firefighters or the public. There are no —evacuation orders in place.

Map of fire location
Federal, state, and local resources are being used to fight the fire, including Bozeman Fire, Central Valley, Hyalite Fire, Fort Ellis, Bridger Canyon, and Willow Creek. The current strategy is to protect structures and to attack the fire with ground and air resources, including helicopters and bulldozers. Fire management will transition to a DNRC County Assist Team this afternoon. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Gallatin County Sheriff's Office
Gallatin County Sheriff's Office
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UPDATE: 9/11/18

Monday afternoon at 3:30 a wild-land fire was reported in the Clarkston South of Pole Gulch Road.  First responding units found a fire burning in timber, grass and brush threatening homes.  Sheriff’s Deputies responded and contacted residents that were in the fire’s path.  Most every fire department in the valley sent resources including aircraft and smoke jumpers from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation & the U.S. Forest Service.  Deputies remain in the area and access is restricted to local residents.  The fire is reported to be about 1500 acres and burning actively.  There are reports that structures have been burned including homes but a full assessment of the damage will not be completed until later.  The cause is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. There are no evacuation orders in effect.  Residents are encouraged to stay in touch by registering their phones on www.readygallatin.com  information on preparing for wildfire in your community is also available on that web site.

Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
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Horseshoe Fire Update: Deputies have been posted at the fire near Clarkston in case additional evacuation notices are necessary. We will notify people if evacuations will be needed. Fire containment efforts will continue throughout the night. More information will be posted as it is available.

“The smoke plumes visible from the valley are caused by a fire outside of Clarkston. It is currently at approximately 300 acres. All fire departments in the area have sent trucks and firefighters. DNRC has planes and helicopters dropping water on the fire, and forest service smokejumpers are deployed. GCSO is also at the scene. Evacuation notices have been issued for nearby residences. Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.”

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