Gallatin National Forest Area Closure Lifted
Incident: Pine Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 10/12/2012
For Immediate Release Contact: Karen Tuscano: (406) 223-2028
Date: October 12, 2012 Marna Daley: (406) 587-6703
Pine Creek Fire Area Closure Lifted, Yellowstone R.D., Gallatin N.F.
Livingston, MT - Yellowstone Ranger District, Gallatin National Forests fire officials have lifted the Pine Creek Fire area closure including: George Lake, Pine Creek, North and South Deep Creek and Davis Creek trails. The Pine Creek Campground is currently closed for the season, but access remains to the picnic area and trailhead. Recent moisture and cooler temperatures have minimized the risk to Forest users, although recreationists are still urged to use caution in and around the surrounding Pine Creek Fire vicinity.
"We are happy that people can get back into some of their favorite places on the Forest," said Fire Management Officer Ashley Sites. "We continue to encourage hunters and all recreationists to be careful in burned areas. Fire weakened trees can fall silently and with little, or no, warning." Visitors to the area can expect blackened trees, stump holes and may still encounter smoldering stumps, logs and root pockets. Additionally, warm, windy and dry days can increase the amount of visible smoke in the fire area, especially in the North Fork of Deep Creek.
Stage 1 fire restrictions were recently lifted on October 5. Most areas on the Gallatin National Forest have received moisture in the last couple weeks, however not all areas have received the necessary amount of moisture and dry conditions still exist. Any campfire needs to be completely extinguished prior to leaving an area; even if for just a short period. A campfire is considered dead out after all embers are extinguished with water and a shovel, and there is no heat left to the touch.
For further information, please contact the Yellowstone Ranger District's Livingston Office at (406)222-1892. For general information about the Gallatin National Forest visit online at www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin
