Gallatin Media Center

Press Release 

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

 

Big Sky Fire Department receives national grant to reduce wildfire risk along Big Sky’s only western evacuation route

Moonlight Basin serves as key partner and will provide critical funds to make project a reality

Big Sky, Mont. – Big Sky Fire Department has been awarded a $75,000 competitive grant from Coalitions and Collaboratives Inc., a national nonprofit that offers grants through its Action, Implementation and Mitigation Program. The purpose of this grant is to accelerate fire adaptation concepts and reduce the risk from wildfire by increasing capacity and on-the-ground work.

This grant will fund “The Jack Creek Evacuation Road Project”, which will create an effective shaded fuel break along Jack Creek Road to increase safety. Jack Creek Road is the only road from Big Sky heading west and out of the Madison Mountain Range into the valley near Ennis, Montana. “Wildfire preparedness, especially related to firefighter and public safety is a year-round job and the more we can do now the better we will be when the wildfire occurs,” said Greg Megaard, Chief, Big Sky Fire Department.

Moonlight Basin is providing $100,000 match for this project, and another $144,000 for wildfire risk reduction on the South Side Road adjacent to and south of Jack Creek Road. In addition to the large commitment in 2022, Moonlight Basin will provide an additional $200,000 toward wildfire mitigation in the area to be deployed in 2023 and beyond.

“As drought persists, it is incumbent that we invest in proactive wildfire risk reduction efforts that respect the land, enhance forest health, and keep people safe,” said Kevin Germain, Vice President of Moonlight Basin. “The Big Sky Fire Department should be applauded for its extensive proactive planning to prevent wildfires and keep Southwest Montana safe. We are proud to join with the Big Sky Fire Department on this project.”

The Big Sky Fire Department provided letters of support from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Madison Ranger District, and Madison County Office of Emergency Management to aid their Jack Creek Evacuation Road grant application.

“A completed shaded fuel break along this road provides a larger safety margin for people evacuating as well as fire personnel responding to the incident as this is the main artery in and out of Big Sky from the west,” said Dale Olson, District Ranger for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and Madison Ranger District.

“The Jack Creek Evacuation Road Project is a step in the right direction to provide safe egress in the event of a human or natural caused disaster,” said Joseph Brummell, the Madison County Director of Disaster and Emergency Services.

About COCO:

Since inception in 2018, Coalitions and Collaboratives Inc. (COCO) has supported over 90 organizations. COCO hopes to increase community resilience, restore fire-adapted ecosystems and create safer conditions for residents and firefighters. This funding opportunity is open to organizations working to advance wildfire risk reduction. More information can be found here: https://co-co.org/get-involved/grants/aim-grant/

Contact:

Greg Megaard, Big Sky Fire Department

406.995.2100, gmegaard@bigskyfire.org

Rich Chandler, Moonlight Basin

406.539.4185, rchandler@lonemountainland.com

 

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For immediate release: July 26, 2022

After a clerical error negated the results of two local-option marijuana tax ballot questions in the June primary election, Gallatin County voters will be again asked to decide on the two taxes, but this time as part of the November general election.

See the full press release here.

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

 

For immediate release: July 26, 2022

The Gallatin County Commission is considering asking voters to decide on a mill levy to fund operations of the Gallatin Rest Home, the soon-to-be only skilled nursing facility in the county.

See the full press release here.

Media is welcome to use any photos of the Gallatin Rest Home found on their Facebook page.

Media contacts:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

Darcel Vaughn, Gallatin Rest Home Administrator
406-404-4001
darcel.vaughn@gallatin.mt.gov

PRESS RELEASE

Sourdough Bike Crash

 

On July 24, 2022, at 9:23 am Gallatin County Dispatch received information that an emergency GPS device had been activated.  The coordinates provided from the GPS device placed it in the Sourdough Trail area.  A later message from the device indicated that a bicyclist had crashed and sustained a laceration to their leg and that the bicyclist was not able to walk out.

 

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section and AMR personnel responded to the Sourdough Trailhead.  Search and Rescue volunteers deployed several UTV’s up the trail to meet with the mountain biker.  Volunteers located the patient several miles up the trail where they assessed their injuries and packaged the patient.  The bicyclist was transported back to the trailhead and transferred to the awaiting AMR unit. The patient was ultimately transported to Bozeman Health for further evaluation.

 

Sheriff Springer would like to commend this mountain biker for carrying a GPS device.  Quick and proper activation not only provided our teams with an accurate location, but the patient was also able to relay information about what happened and injury details.  This type of information can expedite rescue and ensures our crews have all necessary supplies, resulting in a faster and more efficient rescue.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Emigrant Peak Rescue

On July 16, 2022, at 4:24 p.m., Gallatin County dispatch received a call from a Park County Sheriff’s Office deputy seeking assistance from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue for a rescue on Emigrant Peak.  The patient was in a group of hikers that were 800’ from the summit of Emigrant Peak.  The patient was having respiratory issues with heat related complications.  The other hikers were unsuccessful in trying to descend with the patient and needed professional assistance.   Due to the medical condition, and time it would take to perform a ground-based rescue, it was determined a short haul would be the most expedient means of getting the patient to a higher level of care.

 

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Heli Team and Comms Team volunteers, along with a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputy, responded to the call. The Comms Team and GCSO deputy provided mission support and liaised with Park County.  The Heli Team deployed from Gallatin County to a landing zone near Emigrant Peak staffed with a Park County Sheriff’s Office deputy and Livingston Fire and Rescue personnel.  After a reconnaissance flight, the team located the patient and was lowered to perform a medical assessment.  The team stabilized and packaged the patient and then short hauled them to the landing zone.  The patient was turned over to awaiting medical personnel.

 

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to recognize the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Park County deputies, and medical responders that assisted in this mission.  Through teamwork, and clear communication, teams from two different counties were able to work together to provide aid to a citizen in need.

 

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On July 15, 2022, at 11:33 A.M., Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a mountain biker who crashed while riding the trails in Leverich Canyon. The mountain biker sustained injuries to their head, shoulder, and leg.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Valley Section volunteers, along with members of Hyalite Fire and AMR, deployed to Leverich Canyon. The patient was located 1.5 miles from the trailhead.  Teams performed a medical assessment, stabilized the patient, and then transported to the trailhead. The patient was ultimately transported to Bozeman Health for further medical evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank all responders for executing this rescue so professionally and seamlessly as well as the citizens in the area that gave the rescuers space and consideration to perform their duties safely.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

 

On July 15, 2022, at 11:35 am, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for an injured hiker on Ousel Falls Trail in Big Sky.  The hiker sustained an ankle injury and needed assistance getting back to the trailhead.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Big Sky Section responded to the Ousel Falls Trailhead and deployed a team with rescue equipment on the trail.  The team met the patient half way between Ousel Falls and the Ousel Falls parking lot.  A one-wheeled litter was utilized to transport the patient back to the Ousel Falls parking lot.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that even a nice afternoon hike may not go as planned so be sure to take a means of communication, hike with a friend, and take layers for changing weather conditions.

PRESS RELEASE

Beehive Basin Rescue

On July 13, 2022, at 2:43 pm, Gallatin County dispatchreceived a call from hikers that needed assistance getting out of Beehive Basin. One hiker in the group became tired, weak and nauseous and was unable to continue without professional assistance.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section and Valley Section volunteers responded to the call, made their way to the ill hiker, conducted a medical assessmentand provided a ride out to the trailhead. Big Sky Fire was standing by to provide medical assistance as needed.  All team members and the hiking group arrived at the trailhead just as severe lightening, hail and a rainstormbegan.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the hikers for having a means of communication, recognizing that they needed help early on and having extra water and food. It is always good to have the above items and to be prepared for the variable extremes that can occur in our beautiful backcountry.

This missing Newell children in the Belgrade area have been located.  Thank you to everyone who was looking for them.