Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

Grotto Falls Search

On Wednesday, February 9, 2022 Gallatin County Dispatch received a call from a concerned citizen.  The caller reported receiving a message from a friend’s GPS device that an incident had occurred.  The caller provided GPS coordinates of the last known location of the device.  The caller believed the friend was ice climbing.  The location plotted near popular ice climbing routes at Grotto Falls in Hyalite Canyon.

Gallatin County Search and Rescue Volunteers, along with a Life Flight Network aircrew, responded to the Grotto Falls Trailhead.  A vehicle belonging to the friend was located at the trailhead.  Two Volunteer teams were deployed on trails leading towards the GPS coordinates.  Volunteers made contact with several individuals in the area who provided a clothing description of the friend.  Volunteers on the trails were unable to locate the friend or anyone in distress.  A Drone Team was also deployed to the area.  The Drone Team was able to locate ice climbers that matched descriptions of the friend provided by individuals in the area.  The climbers were actively climbing a route in the area.  The climbers did not seem in distress and seemed to be ascending normally.  Volunteers returned to the trailhead and left the area.

A Deputy received a call from the climber a short time later.  The climber confirmed that the activation was accidental and there was no emergency.  The climber also confirmed that they were one of the individuals observed by the drone team.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to encourage citizens to carry a means of communicating while recreating in the backcountry and to let someone know where you are going.  In this case the person recreating had a communication device and told someone where they were going making the search area defined resulting in a more timely response from rescuers.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Buck Ridge Trail Snowmobile Fatality

On February 8, 2022, at 9:31 am, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for a snowmobile accident on Buck Ridge Trail in Big Sky. A rider struck a tree and went into cardiac arrest. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers in Big Sky responded, attempted life-saving efforts, and transported the patient to the trailhead. The patient was transferred to the Big Sky Fire Department and then to Big Sky Medical Center. The patient was declared deceased at Big Sky Medical Center.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a joint investigation with the United States Forest Service. The victim has been identified as 64 year old Anthony Pace of New York, New York.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to offer his condolences to Anthony’s family and friends and thank all first responders involved in this tragedy.

On Sunday, February 6, 2022, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office investigated an avalanche-involved fatality near West Yellowstone. Investigation concluded that 30-year-old Bradie Harold Becker, of Iowa, died of asphyxiation after being buried in avalanche debris. Bradie had been separated from the group of snowmobilers at the time of the avalanche and when located resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.  He was wearing an avalanche airbag that had been deployed and a helmet. Sheriff Springer thanks the rapid response of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, National Forest Service, Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department, who all assisted with the recovery. Our deepest condolences go out to Bradie’s family and friends during this time.

PRESS RELEASE

Tepee Creek Trail Rescue

On Monday February 7, 2022 at 12:00 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, responded to a request for assistance from a snowmobiler on the Tepee Creek Trail, 10.5 miles west of town. An individual riding a snowmobile left the trail and crashed into a tree, sustaining a shoulder injury and possible concussion.

SAR Volunteers, Custer Gallatin National Forest Service LEO, and EMT’s from Hebgen Basin Fire responded with a specialized rescue sled and were able to treat the patient on scene before transporting off the trail to a nearby ambulance. The patient was transferred to a Hebgen Basin Fire Department EMS crew for further medical evaluation and then to the Big Sky Medical Center.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind everyone out enjoying the trails and backcountry that trail conditions can change rapidly.  Please slow down around corners for your protection and those riders approaching from the opposite direction.  Also recreate with a friend and carry a reliable means of communication.  Rescuers were able to quickly respond to this incident because a friend called immediately and provided accurate GPS coordinates.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Denny Creek Avalanche Fatality

On February 6, 2022, at 4:48 pm, the West Yellowstone Dispatch Center received a call for an injured snowmobiler. The snowmobiler was involved in an avalanche in the Dry Fork of Denny Creek, 9.8 miles west of West Yellowstone. Initial reports indicated the injured snowmobiler was unresponsive and members of the group were performing CPR.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone, National Forest Service, Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department responded to Denny Creek. A snowmobile rescue team deployed immediately up the trail.  Lifesaving efforts were attempted for over an hour before the patient was pronounced deceased. The victim’s name has not been released.

Forest Service Law Enforcement and Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is conducting the investigation and all media inquiries should be directed to the Avalanche Center at 406-587-6984.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to offer his condolences to the family and friends of the victim during this tragic time.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

At 0708 this morning emergency crews received reports of smoke from a grain elevator in the area of 100 East Main Street. Emergency personnel identified fire coming from the grain elevator located in the 100 block of Northern Pacific Avenue

Law enforcement officers from the Belgrade Police Department arrived on scene quickly and reported smoke and fire. Central Valley Fire District crews arrived on scene at approximately 0710 and began fire suppression activities.

Approximately 25 minutes after arrival, the main leg of the elevator collapsed, and crews moved to defensive fire operations. A total of 3 tower ladders responded and flowed water onto the fire for approximately 4 hours.

Emergency crews remained on scene throughout the day. Crews were challenged by gaining access to the seat of the fire, and heavy equipment was ordered to the scene. Upon arrival, heavy equipment began to move materials through the scene allowing crews to extinguish hot spots and make progress.

The incident remains active at this time, as crews continue to work to gain access to the seat of the fire located within the grain silo.  There is expected to be emergency crews on scene throughout the night.

The Belgrade Police Department and Central Valley Fire District are very thankful for the support provided by the community during this incident, as well as the support provided from outside agencies. The following agencies assisted with this incident:

American Medical Response, Amsterdam Rural Fire, Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, Belgrade Police Department, Belgrade Public Works, Belgrade School District, Big Sky Fire Department, Bozeman Fire Department, Bozeman Public Works, Central Valley Fire District, Gallatin County 911, Gallatin County Emergency Management, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin Gateway Fire District, Hyalite Rural Fire District, Livingston Fire, Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Northwestern Energy, and Rocky Mountain Supply.

A team of investigators is on site from the Belgrade Police Department, Central Valley Fire District, and the Montana State Fire Marshal’s Office. At this time, investigators are awaiting access to the area once deemed safe to do so. The cause remains under investigation at this time.

For information related to this incident please contact Belgrade Police Chief Dustin Lensing at dlensing@belgradepolice.net or Central Valley Fire District Interim Fire Marshal Jake Zlomie at jzlomie@centralvalleyfire.com. Additional information will be provided as available.

On Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 7:08 p.m., a group of snowmobilers called the West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch center to report that one of their group was lost on Hebgen Mountain, 14.45 miles northwest of West Yellowstone. Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone and deputies responded.

A Deputy made contact with the lost snowmobiler via cellphone and retrieved GPS coordinates. The snowmobiler was riding with no headlight and did not know the way out of the canyon. With no additional source of light for navigation, being unable to ride out of the steep canyon, and having no means to start a fire, the rider begin walking in the snowmobile track out of the canyon to meet volunteers.

Volunteers discovered that the snowmobiler had entered a canyon too difficult to negotiate by snowmobile.  A team continued on foot to the stranded snowmobiler, descending 600 feet in elevation through deep snow and ultimately found the snowmobiler in good health. The volunteers were eventually able to make their way back to their snowmobiles in temperatures hovering around 14 below zero and escort the stranded snowmobiler to safety, taking 6 hours to do so.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind snowmobilers that you should always stay with your group. Carry survival equipment including a means to start a fire and a light source. Make sure portable devices are kept warm to preserve battery life.

Photo courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2022

Through a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided resources for Gallatin County to set up a free COVID-19 testing site during our case surge. Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) Surge Site program helps to provide more access to testing in locations seeing COVID-19 case surges throughout the U.S.

Read the full press release here.

Testing is just one measure you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Be sure to get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose if you are eligible. Wearing a well-fitted mask and maintaining physical distance from others also continue to be highly recommended COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Any calls received after business hours will be returned the following business day. You can reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123. The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website. 

On Monday, January 31, 2022, at 8:58 pm, a caller reported receiving an urgent text message from a friend who was snowmobiling near West Yellowstone. The snowmobiler was hopelessly stuck, alone, and had minimal cellphone battery. The caller contacted the West Yellowstone Police Department Dispatch Center and provided a GPS location included with the text for help.

Volunteers from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue in West Yellowstone responded to the location 9.77 miles west of West Yellowstone.

Volunteers were able to quickly get into the immediate area of the stuck snowmobiler, however the steep timbered terrain made it difficult to traverse into the canyon. The skilled riders were able to make contact with the snowmobiler, provide assistance, and escort to safety.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to encourage snowmobilers to ride with a partner and to call for help as early as possible. Survival equipment should include food, water, a means to start a fire and a battery pack to charge any fading communication devices.

For Immediate Release: January 27, 2022

The Gallatin City-County Health Department is saddened to announce that two more Gallatin County residents have passed away from complications due to COVID-19.

See the full press release here.

The GCCHD website provides up-to-date times, dates, and locations where you can get your COVID-19 vaccine anywhere in Gallatin County.

• • • Combined clinics with Gallatin City-County Health Department and Bozeman Health – Click here to find dates and appointments available on our website. 
      • • Friday, January 28 – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – All Vaccines including flu – Bozeman Health, Entrance 4
        • Monday, January 31 – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – All Vaccines including flu – Bozeman Health, Entrance 4
        • Tuesday, February 1 – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – All Vaccines including flu – Bozeman Health, Entrance 4
        • Wednesday, February 2 – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – All Vaccines including flu – Bozeman Health, Entrance 4
        • Thursday, February 3 – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – All Vaccines including flu – Bozeman Health, Entrance 4
          

• • • Big Sky Medical Center weekly clinic hours: Please visit our website for current hours.

• • • FLU VACCINE clinics are being held at Gallatin City-County Health Department – These are walk-in clinics, no appointment necessary:
      • Monday, January 31 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Anyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine
      • By appointment, call the health department to make yours today, 406-582-3100

• • • IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK – GET TESTED! Click here to find a location nearest you to get tested!

In addition to vaccination, wearing a well-fitting mask and maintaining physical distance from others continues to be recommended COVID-19 mitigation strategies. These strategies, coupled with staying home when you are feeling sick, will help lessen the spread and the burden of the highly infectious Omicron variant. 

The Gallatin City-County Health Department Call Center is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about COVID-19. Any calls received after business hours will be returned the following business day. You can reach the Call Center by phone at 406-548-0123.

The most accurate local source of information remains the GCCHD website.