Access to the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness has been temporarily closed due to the number of wildfire buring in the region.

Spotted Bear Ranger District ranger Deb Mucklow initiated closing Aug. 28. She said public and firefighter safety is the main concern.

“The intention of the closure is to be short term and to get the wilderness areas open as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Mucklow.

She said rangers are contacting all parties currently in the wilderness.

With the Bear Creek Fire, Trail Creek Fire and 18 other fires burning across the Spotted Bear District, numerous closures have been in place since Aug. 12. As new fires have been detected, additional closures have gone into effect.

Mucklow said the closure will allow the district to concentrate on fire activity.

There are additional closures on the adjacent ranger districts that are also affecting access to wilderness areas on the Spotted Bear Ranger District. Visitors are reminded that the Schafer Meadows airstrip is included in the Great Bear Wilderness closure.

For further information, contact the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 406 758-5376.