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Three Bear Lodge Fire Update
Breaking News: February 16th, 2008
This is an update from Jack Dittman, West Yellowstone’s Public Information Officer as of 8:00AM Saturday morning, February 16th.
Shortly, before 7:00 PM Friday night, February 15th, guests staying at the Three Bear Lodge reported an explosion of, as yet, unconfirmed origin. A group of Hill Air Force Basemen, staying at the Lodge, immediately took action and evacuated all other guests. All guests are accounted for and are safely housed at other lodging facilities within the community.
For further information on specific guests, contact the Holiday Inn, 1-800-646-7365. Media should contact Jack Dittman, 1-406-646-7311.
The fire was contained to portions of Three Bear Lodge proper and did not affect either of the hotel annex or restaurant buildings. The Montana State Fire Marshall is expected on scene this morning.
Three Bear Lodge Snowmobile Rentals and Yellowstone snowmobile tours can be picked up from the Three Bear Lodge Snowmobile sled barn located at 15 North Electric Street. SeeYellowstone Snowcoaches will depart from the Holiday Inn, 415 Yellowstone Avenue, until further notice. Three Bear Restaurant will open for dinner on Saturday, February 16th.
The West Yellowstone Fire Department, including volunteers, were on-scene by 7:00 PM. The fire was reported under control by 10:00 PM, although crews remained on the scene overnight and through this morning. West Yellowstone Fire Chief Jason Catrambone was the incident commander. Over 50 firefighters responded including crews from Hebgen Lake/North Shore 5 District, Island Park (North Fremont) Idaho, Big Sky, and Yellowstone National Park fire fighters from Old Faithful. The West Yellowstone Police Department was assisted by officers from Gallatin County, U.S. Forest Service, Yellowstone National Park, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The quick response and rapid containment is a testament to the concentrated efforts of so many agencies and individuals.
Breaking News: January 25, 2008
With the second greatest amount of snow in the last ten years, West
Yellowstone, Montana, is inviting all winter enthusiasts to come out
and play. Trailing the best by less than 1%, “It’s a fantastic
year for snow,” said Jack Clarkson for the Chamber of Commerce.
“Whether your pleasure is to enjoy the snow on cross-country
skis, a snowmobile, a snowcoach or a pair of snowshoes, this is way
too good to pass up,” Clarkson added.
West Yellowstone has been blanketed by snow since just before Thanksgiving.
Many locals credit the efforts of the owners and friends of Free Heel
& Wheel, a cross-country ski and bicycle shop in West Yellowstone.
These hardy folks donned bikinis and shorts, jumped on their bicycles
and, holding burning skis aloft, rode around the then flakeless town
chanting and singing for snow. And, boy did it arrive!
Snow, snow and more snow.
“We like to say that West Yellowstone is where winter comes
to play. So, plan your trip NOW to come and play with us here!”
concluded Clarkson.
West Yellowstone cross-country ski trails are groomed to perfection
and the backcountry skiing is bliss. The 2000 miles of snowmobile
trails, most groomed on a nightly basis, lead to fields and fields
of perfect powder and interconnect with miles and miles of Idaho trails.
Yellowstone Winter Use
November 21, 2007
"WINTER USE DECISION FOR YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND
TETON NATIONAL PARKS
PROTECTS PARKS WHILEPROVIDING FOR VISITOR ACCESS"
According to the Public Affairs Office for Yellowstone National Park, operations will continue this winter under essentially the same rules that were in effect the past three winters. In Yellowstone, this means up to 720 commercially guided BAT snowmobiles a day will be allowed to enter the park during the winter of 2007-2008. Yellowstone will conduct avalanche control operations this winter to allow motorized oversnow travel on the East Entrance road across Sylvan Pass. Methods used to reduce the risk of avalanche control operations this winter may result in longer temporary closures between the detection of avalanche risk and the reopening of Sylvan Pass to motorized oversnow travel compared to historic avalanche control operations.
Additionally, a decision on a long-term plan to guide management of winter use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway was signed today by Mike Snyder, Director of the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service.
This Record of Decision (ROD) calls for changes in winter use in the parks beginning with the 2008-2009 winter season. This decision provides for operations to continue this winter under essentially the same rules that were in effect the past three winters, with changes in operations beginning next year, with the 2008-2009 winter season.
The decision will allow fewer snowmobiles in Yellowstone in the future. Five hundred forty (540) Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles and eighty-three (83) snowcoaches will be allowed per day in Yellowstone, starting with the winter of 2008-2009. The use of BAT machines substantially reduces air and noise emissions compared to those emitted by most snowmobiles. All snowmobiles and snowcoaches will be 100% commercially guided; which reduces conflicts with wildlife, improves safety for all, and also helps to address historic noise and air pollution concerns.
The decision calls for Sylvan Pass to remain open to motorized oversnow travel. Yellowstone will use a combined helicopter and howitzer program to conduct avalanche control operations this winter.
