Closures Lifted for Polaris and Elkhorn Areas; Scenic Byway Remains Closed

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, Mont. — Closures affecting the Polaris and Elkhorn areas have been lifted, while the Forest Service has reduced the area closure associated with the Bobcat Lakes and Sand Creek fires.

The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains closed, and portions of National Forest land remain off-limits for public and firefighter safety.

According to the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, areas affected by the local closures have reopened except the Scenic Byway. The road will remain closed until further notice while crews remove burned and falling trees and address other potential hazards.

Forest Service closure reduced

The Forest Service said its updated closure is smaller but remains necessary because numerous pieces of heavy equipment are working in the area.

The revised closure no longer includes:

• The area north of the Pettengill Creek drainage.

• The area north of Steel Creek.

• The Bull Creek area.

• Most of the East Pioneers.

An exception in the East Pioneers remains closed: an area extending from north of upper Grasshopper Valley east to Comet Mountain, then north and west along Elkhorn Creek to the Scenic Byway.

The reopening of the Polaris and Elkhorn areas does not remove the remaining Forest Service restrictions. Visitors should consult the updated closure description and map on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest website before entering areas near the fires.

No reopening date has been announced for the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.