Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer advises travelers to avoid non-essential travel on US-191 in Gallatin Canyon due to continued hazardous driving conditions. There have been numerous traffic accidents causing blockages and major delays throughout the day. Do not travel Hwy 191 if at all possible.
PRESS RELEASE
Highland Glen Ski Trail Rescue
On March 11, 2023, at 3:46pm Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call for a cross country skier on the Highland Glen Ski Trail who had a possible broken leg. The patients skiing partner stayed with them and provided updates to responding units but needed assistance getting the patient off the trail.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the trail after Bozeman Fire personnel requested their assistance transporting the patient.Search and Rescue volunteers deployed with a tracked Side by Side to the skier’s location. The patient was transported off the ski trail and transferred to an awaiting AMR ambulance. The patient was ultimately transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.
Sheriff Springer would like to remind recreationalists that accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. Always recreating with a partner and having a communication device can greatly help emergency responders, should your adventure not go as planned.
Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.
For immediate release: March 10, 2023
Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov
Gallatin County Hosting Open House for Discussion on Paved Pathway Between Bozeman and Four Corners
Gallatin County wants to improve safety along Huffine Lane and we need your support and input!
The Triangle Trails Plan identifies a Primary Commuter Pathway along Huffine Lane from Four Corners to Bozeman. Gallatin County is applying for a grant to support planning and building this paved, separated pathway along Huffine from approximately Circle F Trail to Cottonwood Road. This priority project would close a nearly three-mile gap in connectivity.
The grant is through the Montana Transportation Alternatives Program. The county’s application is due in April. The county can apply for up to $3 million to help with this project.
Gallatin County invites community input on the need, priority connections to and design of the pathway. The application also includes documenting strong community support for the project. We need your voice!
More details about the project can be found here.
Join us for an open house on Wednesday, March 22 from 5 to 6 PM in the Community Room of the Gallatin County Courthouse (311 W. Main St. in downtown Bozeman). It will also be available on Zoom.
The event will include an open house, a presentation at 5:30 PM, and time for public comments, questions and suggestions.
Can’t make it? Submit letters to commission@gallatin.mt.gov.
“When we were developing the Triangle Trails plan, we consistently heard from residents that the Huffine pathway was a top priority,” said Gallatin County Commissioner Jennfier Boyer. “A large portion of our county’s new development is happening in the triangle between Bozeman, Belgrade and Four Corners. We need to ensure safety and connectivity for future development in that area.”
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PRESS RELEASE
Bacon Rind Avalanche
On March 9, 2023 at 4:44 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue was requested to assist Yellowstone National Park with an avalanche search in the Bacon Rind area on Gallatin Road near mile marker 23. The reporting party was concerned that the slide was recent, and someone could be trapped, so they conducted a search from a safe distance with their avalanche beacon. The skier’s beacon picked up a signal indicating a person with a beacon was possibly in the debris.
To assist Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) activated the Big Sky Section, West Yellowstone Section, Valley Section, Heli Team, SAR Dogs, and SAR Comms. A hasty team of National Park Service Rangers and GCSSAR volunteers responded to the avalanche debris field. The hasty team conducted a thorough beacon search and searched the area with a dog trained for avalanche victim detection. An investigation was conducted to identify vehicles in the area and check on the status of the owners. The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center was contacted for recent avalanche history in the area. The ground search did not find any indicators of buried victims and the investigation determined there weren’t any vehicles with unaccounted for individuals. With all of these factors considered, the search was concluded.
Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the reporting party who saw reason for concern and brought the information to the attention of the National Park Service. With the multitude of recreational opportunities in this area, it is often a member of the public who first recognizes a potential emergency and brings those facts to our attention for investigation. Sheriff Springer would also like to thank the Search and Rescue volunteers who were ready and willing to dedicate their time and effort to conducting a detailed search, ensuring a safe conclusion to this event.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office would like to alert the public to a mail scam that has been reported by the Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department. Residents have received a mailing like the one posted, claiming to be from the “Vehicle Services Division,” that alleges a person’s vehicle coverage is about to expire and includes a “registration fee voucher” that looks similar to a check. This is a SCAM and a sly way to get you on the phone to sell you something or gather your personal information. Do not respond to the letter! Our motor vehicle department does not send any such vouchers.
Sheriff/Coroner Dan Springer releases name of Big Sky Resort Victim
In the afternoon hours of Sunday, February 12, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated a skiing accident resulting in death at the Big Sky Resort. The victim was identified as 50-year-old Robin Soare of Phoenix AZ. Robin was skiing the Headwaters Bowl run and struck a tree, resulting in significant head trauma. Robin was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital where she died of her injuries. Robin’s cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma of the head and manner of death was determined to be accidental.
Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Robin Soare during this time.
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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner
WEST YELLOWSTONE SNOWMOBILE FATALITY
On Friday, March 3, 2023, at 12:17 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue West Yellowstone volunteers, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service, Yellowstone National Park, and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District personnel responded to a report of a snowmobiler who had struck a tree on the Two Top Trail, 6 miles west of West Yellowstone.
The snowmobiler, identified as Christopher Berg, was found deceased at the scene. The Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Custer Gallatin National Forest Service is conducting a full investigation into the incident. No foul play is suspected. Speed was found as a factor in the crash.
Sheriff/Coroner Dan Springer wishes to express his condolences to the family and friends of the victim in this tragic event.
March 1, 2023
Media contact:
Patrick Lonergan, Gallatin County Chief of Emergency Management and Fire
406-548-0116
patrick@readygallatin.com
Open Burning Season in Gallatin County Begins March 1
The open burning season in Gallatin County begins on Wednesday, March 1.
Open burning requires the purchase and activation of a burn permit, which can be obtained at www.gallatinburnpermits.com.
Permits can also be picked up in person at the following locations:
Open burning season runs March 1 through Nov. 30 each year. Remember – ensure you are properly equipped to manage your fire. You are ultimately fiscally responsible for any escaped fires and the resulting damage.
Once you receive and activate your permit, check the weather. Don’t burn on dry, windy days, and stay aware of conditions as they may change throughout the day. And ensure you’re burning your debris in a cleared area away from overhead branches and wires.
When conditions are not favorable for burning, the fire chief for your area shut down open burning to reduce the potential of a fire to get out of control. You can always check the status of open burning in your fire district by visiting www.gallatinburnpermits.com.
One new feature this year, after numerous requests, is a readily available public map, which shows all of the activated permits on any given day in Gallatin County. Anyone (permit holder or not) can view the map by going to either www.gallatinburnpermits.com (map is towards the bottom of the page), or to the Gallatin County Emergency Management website, www.readygallatin.com, clicking on the “Burn Permits” button, and finding the map just below the list of fire districts and their open burning status.
Find more information about open burning, including what you’re allowed to burn, visit our website.
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In the evening hours of Friday, February 24, 2023, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with the Bozeman Police Department investigated a sudden unexpected death occurring at a local gym. The victim was identified as 40-year-old Daniel “Danny” Johnson of Bozeman. Danny’s sudden death came as a shock to his family and friends. Danny was a pastor and elder of Grace Bible Church and spent much of his time contributing to his community. Danny’s cause of death was determined to be critical coronary artery atherosclerosis and the manner was natural.
Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Danny Johnson during this time.
Circle Mountain Rescue
On February 26, 2023, at 9:48 am, Gallatin County dispatch received a call from Madison County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance for a rescue mission in the area of Circle Mountain for an individual who had fallen ill and was too exhausted to self-extricate. Madison County had communication with the individual and was able to pass on coordinates and valuable information to Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section, SAR Comms and Heli Team members responded to assist in getting the patient to medical care. Ground teams rode up Buck Ridge while the Heli Team flew directly to the area. The Heli Team was able to locate the patient, pick them up, and fly to a waiting Madison County Deputy for further assistance.
Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind winter recreationalist to travel with others when possible and be prepared for unexpected events when recreating. He also encourages recreationalists to have a fully charged cell phone or some other communication device in case of an emergency as the patient did in this case.
Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.
