Custer Gallatin National Forest

Custer Gallatin National Forest The US Forest Service - Custer Gallatin National Forest official page.

The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national gr

asslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife.

06/03/2026

Celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6 by joining us on the Rendezvous Trails! We’ll be removing downed trees and clearing general winter debris to help get the trails ready for summer.

We’ll meet at the trailhead building at 9:00 a.m. and wrap up around noon. Come lend a hand, enjoy the outdoors, and help care for the trails we all love!

***Wildfire Update***Update: 6/3/2026 2:30 pmName: Burnt TopSize: 0.1 acresLocation: Estimate 2.5 hour hike north from ...
06/03/2026

***Wildfire Update***
Update: 6/3/2026 2:30 pm
Name: Burnt Top
Size: 0.1 acres
Location: Estimate 2.5 hour hike north from Buffalo Horn trailhead area, located on the Bozeman Ranger District, outside of the Hyalite, Porcupine, Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area.

There is no smoke showing today from the Burnt Top Fire. Firefighters are monitoring the area, and the fire has minimal potential for spread.

06/03/2026

An emergency closure on a portion of the Gallatin River near Big Sky was lifted on June 2.

The closure has been enacted for human safety during certain phases of a Custer Gallatin National Forest project to replace Markley Bridge starting in March.

The closure restricted boating on the Gallatin River from the Upper Deer Creek boat launch—just upstream of Markley Bridge—to the Portal Creek boat launch.

Future phases of the project may require the closure to be reinstated temporarily later this summer.

For current information on restrictions and closures of Montana waterbodies and FWP sites, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

📸 U.S. Forest Service

***Wildfire Update***Update: 6/2/2026 2:00 pmName: Burnt TopSize: 0.1 acresLocation: Estimate 2.5 hour hike north from ...
06/02/2026

***Wildfire Update***
Update: 6/2/2026 2:00 pm
Name: Burnt Top
Size: 0.1 acres
Location: Estimate 2.5 hour hike north from Buffalo Horn trailhead area, located on the Bozeman Ranger District, outside of the Hyalite, Porcupine, Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area.

Firefighters hiked to the fire this morning and are actively engaging to suppress the fire.

On this day, we honor the memory of Tim Hart, a courageous wildland firefighter whose dedication and sacrifice touched c...
06/02/2026

On this day, we honor the memory of Tim Hart, a courageous wildland firefighter whose dedication and sacrifice touched countless lives. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Tim’s family, friends, and fellow firefighters as we reflect on his life and legacy.

Tim was raised in Illinois and later made his home in Cody, Wyoming, with his wife. Throughout his distinguished career, he served as an Engine Crew Member on the Coconino, Fremont-Winema, and Shoshone National Forests, and as a Lead Firefighter on the Ashville and Ruby Mountain Hotshot Crews with the Bureau of Land Management. In 2016, he began his Smokejumper journey in Grangeville, Idaho, before transferring to West Yellowstone in 2019 to join the Custer Gallatin National Forest as a Squad Leader and later a Spotter. Tim’s contributions to the Forest Service and the wildland fire community continue to resonate deeply with all who knew and worked alongside him.

***Wildfire Start***Update: 6/1/2026 7:00 pmName: Burnt TopSize: 0.1 acres (single tree)Location: Estimate 2.5 hour hik...
06/02/2026

***Wildfire Start***
Update: 6/1/2026 7:00 pm
Name: Burnt Top
Size: 0.1 acres (single tree)
Location: Estimate 2.5 hour hike north from Buffalo Horn trailhead area, located on the Bozeman Ranger District, outside of the Hyalite, Porcupine, Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area.

Fire personnel located the Burnt Top Fire with UAS. An engine module will hike to the fire tomorrow morning to engage the fire.

***Wildfire Update**** 5/29/2026, 12:58 pmSaw Mill Fire is now 100% contained.Name: Saw Mill FireStart Date: May 28, 202...
05/29/2026

***Wildfire Update****
5/29/2026, 12:58 pm

Saw Mill Fire is now 100% contained.

Name: Saw Mill Fire
Start Date: May 28, 2026
Cause: Lightning
Location: The western portion of the Beartooth Ranger District on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, approximately 12 miles west of the town of Nye.

***Wildfire Start***Update: 5/29/2026 10:30 amName: Saw Mill FireStart Date: May 28, 2026Size: 0.1 acresCause: Lightnin...
05/29/2026

***Wildfire Start***
Update: 5/29/2026 10:30 am

Name: Saw Mill Fire
Start Date: May 28, 2026
Size: 0.1 acres
Cause: Lightning
Location: The western portion of the Beartooth Ranger District on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, approximately 12 miles west of the town of Nye.

The fire is currently smoldering and slowly creeping in high‑elevation terrain. Firefighters, including one Forest Service engine and a five‑person crew, have been on scene since 830 this morning constructing line and strengthening containment. Potential for spread is low.

***Wildfire Update***5/29/2026 0930The Mount Ellis Fire is now 100% contained.Name: Mount Ellis FireStart Date: May 27,...
05/29/2026

***Wildfire Update***
5/29/2026 0930

The Mount Ellis Fire is now 100% contained.

Name: Mount Ellis Fire
Start Date: May 27, 2026
Location: Near the summit of Mount Ellis, southeast of Bozeman, on the Bozeman Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest.

05/28/2026

A portion of the Gallatin River will close to boating temporarily starting May 29 while crews continue working with the Custer Gallatin National Forest to install a new bridge replacing Markley Bridge near Big Sky.

The closure will temporarily restrict boating on the Gallatin River from the Upper Deer Creek boat launch—located just above Markley Bridge—to the Portal Creek boat launch. Boaters will still be able to put in at the Portal Creek boat launch and float downstream.

Wade angling and other walk-in use will continue to be allowed, except in the immediate area of bridge construction.

The area was closed previously during earlier phases of construction. The current closure will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.

For more information on restrictions and closures of Montana waterbodies, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

📸 U.S. Forest Service

Address

P. O. Box 130; 10 East Babcock
Bozeman, MT
59715

Telephone

+14065876701

Website

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