Custer Gallatin National Forest

08/19/2026

Fire Round-up for the past week on the Custer Gallatin National Forest

For this past week, firefighters responded to one small fire on the Sioux Ranger District, and we had zero abandoned campfires. Recent rainfall helped moderate conditions, but fire danger can change quickly — especially as things dry out again.

As you head out to enjoy your public lands, please remember:
• Stay vigilant. Even one spark can start a wildfire when conditions warm back up.
• If you build a campfire, put it completely out. Stir the ashes, drown them with water, and ensure everything is cold to the touch before leaving.
• Know before you go. Check current fire danger levels and any local restrictions.

Thanks for doing your part to keep our forests safe. Your actions make a real difference.

08/17/2026

08/15/2026

Ride Right, Ride Legal on the Custer Gallatin! 🏍️🌲

We love seeing folks out exploring the forest on wheels, but we have recently noticed an increase in off-trail riding and motorized use in unauthorized areas. Off trail travel damages resources, impacts wildlife habitat, and can lead to long term closures. Please take a moment to Know Before You Go and help protect the places we all love to ride.

Key Rules for Dirt Bikes and OHVs:
• Ride Only on Designated Routes: Motorized travel is allowed only on roads and trails shown on the official Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
• Cross Country Travel Is Illegal: It is illegal to ride off-trail or create new paths. If a route isn’t on the MVUM, it’s closed to motorized use — even if it looks like a trail on the ground.
• Protect the Terrain: Avoid wet, muddy areas and meadows to prevent rutting and erosion.

Where to Get Your MVUM:
Your MVUM is your legal guide to where you can ride.
• Online: View or print maps here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/maps
• Digital: Download free MVUM maps for the Avenza app to see your location in real-time, even without cell service: https://store.avenza.com/

Responsible riding protects access for everyone. Traveling off designated routes can result in citations, and more importantly, can cause damage that threatens long term trail access. Let’s protect the ride for the next rig!

📸A dirt biker following the MVUM and enjoying the serenity and adventure of a motorized use trail in the Taylor Fork area (Photo provided by Todd Orr).

08/14/2026

Construction of the new Sweet Trunk Trail No. 274 started earlier this week on the Yellowstone Ranger District, north of Big Timber, MT. This marks an exciting first step in expanding public recreation and access opportunities in the east Crazies. When completed, the trail will run approximately 22 miles from the Big Timber Canyon Trailhead to the junction with Sweet Grass Trail No. 122 on the National Forest, opening new opportunities for hikers, horsemen, and sportsmen to explore this beautiful portion of the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

The Sweet Trunk Trail is a key outcome of a recent land exchange on the forest, designed to improve public access and ensure long‑term, reliable entry to National Forest System lands. There are no closures associated with the construction, and visitors can continue enjoying Big Timber Canyon and the Half Moon Campground as crews begin this multi‑season project. The anticipated date of completion is expected by fall 2029.

To hear more about the Sweet Trunk Trail and how it’s being built, check out our latest podcast episode.
Listen on our webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/multimedia/audio/new-path-forward-building-sweet-trunk-trail
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BFv8db9I4ImYZ4PBIMuCW?si=53i0YBfvQ8CHP9NE0usURA
Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-new-path-forward-building-the-sweet-trunk-trail/id1870678434?i=1000783367592

08/12/2026

Fire Round‑Up for the Past Week on the Custer Gallatin National Forest

This week brought encouraging news across the Custer Gallatin. Aside from the East Baldy Fire, we saw no new wildfire starts on the forest. However, staff on the Beartooth Ranger District did respond to five abandoned campfires, all of which were fully extinguished before they could spread or become incidents.

Abandoned campfires are a leading cause of wildfires on public lands, and even a single unattended spark can ignite a large fire under dry, hot, or windy conditions. Never leave a campfire unattended. Always keep plenty of water and a shovel nearby, and when you’re ready to leave, drown, stir, and repeat until the ashes are the consistency of a mud pie and cold to the touch.

Wildfire prevention is something we all contribute to, and small steps—like fully extinguishing campfires—make a big difference across our public lands.

08/11/2026

***Wildfire Final Update*** 8/11/2026

Name: East Baldy Fire
Start Date: August 6, 2026
Location: approximately 1.5 mile southwest of the Mission Creek Trailhead, southeast of Livingston on the Yellowstone Ranger District.
Size: 2 acres
Containment: 100%.

No heat or smoke was detected on the fire this morning, and it has been declared 100% contained and controlled. All eight rappelers and their gear were safely aerially extracted from the incident area midday.

Significant moisture is expected over the next five days, and with incoming weather and forecasted winds, removing firefighters from steep, exposed, and inaccessible terrain was a top safety priority ahead of this storm system.

This will be the last update unless conditions change.

08/09/2026

***Wildfire Update*** 8/9/2026
Name: East Baldy Fire
Start Date: August 6, 2026
Location: approximately 1.5 mile southwest of the Mission Creek Trailhead, southeast of Livingston on the Yellowstone Ranger District.
Size: 2 acres
Containment: 20%.
Resources on Scene: 8 Rappelers

The East Baldy Fire is now 20% contained. Firefighters are continuing work to secure the fires edge.

08/09/2026

Visitors to the Hyalite area may notice road crews getting started on maintenance projects along Langohr Road and a few other well traveled routes beginning this week. The Custer Gallatin National Forest will be grading, improving drainage, and repairing damaged sections of NFSR 6230, 6231, 6233, 6234, 6235 and NFSR 62 throughout the fall season. No full road closures are expected. All sites in the area will stay open, but you may encounter brief delays, one lane traffic, and construction equipment along the way.

If you’re heading up the canyon, plan a little extra time and keep an eye out for workers and posted signs.

Thanks for your patience as important upkeep gets underway.

08/09/2026

Join us in wishing a happy 82nd birthday to Smokey Bear! Thank you for always reminding us that “only you can prevent wildfires.”

08/08/2026

***Wildfire Update*** 8/8/2026
Name: East Baldy Fire
Start Date: August 6, 2026
Location: approximately 1.5 mile southwest of the Mission Creek Trailhead, southeast of Livingston on the Yellowstone Ranger District.
Size: 2 acres
Containment: 0%.
Resources on Scene: 8 Rappelers

A crew of 8 Rappelers continue to secure the fire with assistance of bucket drops from aicraft. The rappelers also continue to improve a helispot to provide access for firefighters to the fire. The fire is located in steep, rugged terrain with limited access, and creating a helispot is important for firefighter safety.
The public should expect to see smoke over the next few days.