06/05/2026
⚠ PUBLIC SAFETY NOTIFICATION
On Tuesday May 26, 2026, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement received reports of a strand of barbed wire that had been placed crossing a motorized vehicle trail north of Spire Rock near Whitehall, MT. Initial reporting was that it was a single strand of wire placed roughly at a height of 4 feet from the ground and there were concerns that it may have been placed with the intention of injuring motor vehicle users. From May 26 – June 5, Forest Service Law Enforcement and partner agencies received and investigated multiple tips, calls, social media posts, and information in news stories regarding possible threats to motor vehicle users in the greater Pipestone area. Much of what was processed was the result of circular reporting and rumor. However, there were three incidents identified by law enforcement in the area as substantive that were investigated thoroughly.
ℹ Incident 1 – Spire Rock: Multiple parties reported discovering a single strand of barbed wire crossing a motor vehicle trail north of Spire Rock at a height of approximately 4 feet. Investigators responded to the area, documented the scene, collected evidence, and interviewed many witnesses about the incident. Investigators were able to confirm that the strand of barbed wire was a section of a recently repaired legitimate grazing allotment fence that has existed at that location since 1960. The permittee had recently repaired multiple sections of cut fence including this portion in preparation for bringing cattle into the area. Investigators were able to confirm multiple sections of recently repaired fencing at locations intersected by what appeared to be user-created motor vehicle use trails in the grazing allotment. Investigators confirmed cattle were recently brought into the allotment. Additionally, investigators observed multiple locations with recent repairs that had been cut again in the 10 days since they had been repaired.
ℹ Incident 2 – Bernice: Officers received information through social media of an incident with a minor running into barbed wire placed across a trail near Bernice, MT. Investigators contacted the individuals involved and they explained their son had run into a three-wire cattle fence and they did not believe it was related to the Spire Rock incident. Additionally, they provided go-pro footage of the collision that clearly showed the rider running into a legitimate three-wire cattle gate crossing a ranching access two-track on private land. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was correct in announcing this was “not the result of wire being purposely struck across an ATV Trail.”
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KskjVka2V/
ℹ Incident 3 – Blacktail Canyon: Officers received information on May 29th of a motorist that had discovered a rachet strap attached to a tree on the side of the trail near Blacktail Canyon Road on the south side of the interstate. When discovered, the rachet strap was loose and on the ground crossing the trail. The motorist had seen the news regarding the Spire Rock incident and reported the strap in case it was related.
There was no evidence discovered during the investigation to suggest any instance of maliciously placed hazards targeting motor vehicle users. The Pipestone area is a high-use and multiple use section of public land.
Please be mindful and considerate of other users on the land. Ride at a responsible rate of speed and be aware that fencing exists on the landscape. There are active and legitimate cattle operations in the area that require fencing. It is both a state and federal crime to cut allotment fences. However, those fences are constructed in such a manner to minimize the danger to the members of the public that are recreating in the area.
The U.S. Forest Service would like to thank law enforcement, the community, and partner agencies for all the support it received investigating this situation.
Jefferson County Montana Sheriff's Office
Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department
Bureau of Land Management - Montana/Dakotas
