08/11/2026
Fire managers have many difficult decisions to make, and often times are not local to the area they're protecting. Right now the Sand Creek fire is cresting Maverick Mountain, and structure protection is in place at Elkhorn Hot Springs, but there are no plans for fire mitigation efforts at the Byway's only National Historic Site, Coolidge Ghost Town. Life and homes are always priority in a fire, as well they should be. But history shouldn't be forgotten. Coolidge is the most intact mining camp site remaining on public land in Montana, and has never been excavated or had more than a surface survey. It still has so much to teach us. Reach out to fire managers, thank them for their hard work in keeping our communities safe, and remind them that history deserves consideration as well. A simple house wrap on the Tyro house, a walk-through to clear brush from structures and remove hazard trees in case the fire crosses the Byway could be the difference between salvaging untold pieces of history and losing it forever. Prayers for all the firefighters, for our neighbors and their livestock and the wild animals on the ground, and prayers for rain! You can reach out to the fire public information officer here:
[email protected]
[email protected]
406-420-1966
Community meeting at Jackson school on Wednesday at 6 pm
Community meeting at Wise River Community Building on Thursday at 6 pm
