Public lands reopen near Everson Creek after fire rehabilitation
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(DILLON, Mont.) – Federal officials have lifted an emergency closure order for some public lands near the Montana-Idaho border. The area has been closed since last summer due to the Bear Creek Fire.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Dillon Field Office issued the Recession of Emergency Closure order for public lands in the Everson Creek area, about 50 miles southwest of Dillon, on May 11.
The field office had kept this portion of the burned area closed to the public until spring to protect land damaged in the fire as rehabilitation efforts got underway.
Though the land is showing signs of coming back to life, those visiting the area should remain alert to the danger of standing trees weakened by the fire falling without warning. “One of our biggest concerns in the area remains the safety of the public around hazardous trees,” said Dillon Field Manager Amanda James. “We urge people to continue to use caution when recreating in the forest.”
The Bear Creek Fire was first reported Aug. 11, 2020 and went on to burn nearly 12,000 acres in southwest Montana.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.