Fire Emergency Declared As Dry Conditions Persist HELENA (AP) — Gov
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☛ ☛ NTERPRISEt h e l i v i n g s t o n E Thursday, July 15, 2021 •Livingston,Montana•Vol.115 No.147 $1.00 Fire emergency declared as dry conditions persist HELENA (AP) — Gov. mobilize the Montana munities, infrastructure, tions and recreate safely to burned more than 2,000 that the weather will get Greg Gianforte declared National Guard to assist in first responders, and way of avoid starting wildfires. square miles in the state by wilder as the world warms. Wednesday a statewide fire fire suppression efforts. It life,” Gianforte said in a The hot and abnormally the end of the summer. Climate change has made emergency in Montana as also allows Gianforte to statement. “As our firefight- dry conditions are expected “(We’re seeing) fuel mois- the West much warmer and the state faces abnormally activate the Emergency ers battle active fires across to continue through August, ture levels that are drier drier in the past 30 years. dry conditions . Management Assistance the state with more to come, and new wildland fire starts than they’ve been in the last Higuera says fire condi- As of Wednesday, nearly Compact, a nationally adopt- this executive order helps are likely throughout much decade, and are much drier tions in western Montana 1,400 wildland fires have ed mutual aid agreement ensure they have the sup- of the state. than they were at this point are directly linked to what burned over 220 square that allows states to share pression resources, sup- Philip Higuera, professor in 2017,” Higuera said. scientists expect to experi- miles in Montana. Of those resources with one another plies, and fuel they need to of fire ecology at the Uni- Extreme conditions like ence in future decades. around 78% have been during times of emergency safely and aggressively versity of Montana, told these are often from natural “I think it’s hard for us to human caused, according to or disaster. respond.” NBC Montana that condi- weather patterns height- realize that we’re literally the governor’s office. “Montana faces critical The governor urged Mon- tions this year are drier ened by long-term, human- living through conditions The emergency declara- fire conditions that pose sig- tana residents and visitors than they were in 2017, caused climate change. Sci- that we haven’t experienced tion allows the governor to nificant threats to our com- to follow local fire restric- when record wildfires entists have long warned before,” he said. Clyde Park town leaders enforce code, discuss alleged theft of funds By Jason Bacaj Enterprise Staff Writer The Clyde Park Town Council took action Wednesday evening to resolve two ongoing site per- mit issues, and learned that the town’s insurance provider paid out a claim stemming from alleged theft by a previous town clerk. A tiny home at 108 S. 5th Ave. in Clyde Park was installed about a month ago without filling out a site permit application or getting its wastewater system approved by the Park County sanitarian, said Mayor Bob Queen. Town Councilor Will Buniger noted that over the weeks, the tenant there has committed sev- en different violations of Clyde Park code, including keeping two pigs on the property, which is banned by town ordinance. Mayor Queen said attempts to engage with the tiny home resi- dent haven’t brought about any Enterprise file photo progress on resolving the issue. Bullfighters wrangle a bull during the 2018 Livingston Classic PBR. He said the man made threats against him in front of Dian Funk, the town’s community ser- vice officer. “First time I ever seen this guy he cussed me up one side and down the other, right here on the street,” Queen said during the PBR IS BACK council’s monthly meeting. A Park County Sheriff’s Depu- By Lydia Ely boys, and others putting on the ties, look for past Montana State The event will take place at the ty was in attendance at the meet- Enterprise Staff Writer PBR are also a part of the national Rodeo rider Chase Dougherty, Park County Fairgrounds begin- ing, by request of town staff. tour. She emphasized her excite- Bozeman resident Stetson Law- ning at 7 p.m. Saturday, with gates “You don’t make friends that ro Bull Riding is back in ment about bringing the national rence, and Volborg native Jake opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are way,” said Don Oberquell, town town after a year off due to event to Park County, calling it Lockwood. Livingston even has a available online until 11:30 a.m. councilor. “You don’t threaten PCOVID-19. Some of the top “big entertainment, just on a rider in the mix, Jason Bold. More Saturday, and will be available at people, especially when there’s a bull-riders and bulls in the coun- small scale.” are listed on the PBR program the gate starting 12 p.m. Saturday. witness.” try will descend on Livingston for Riders are matched with bulls in that will be available at the event. Reserved seating has been sold The Town Council decided to the adrenaline-filled evening. a random computerized drawing. Other riders to watch include out, and general admission tickets enforce the town’s ordinances, While the event is part of the Each rider will ride once, and the fan favorites such as Keyshawn are available for $20 ($10 for kids which will require the man to third-tier Touring Pro Division, top ten from the first round will Whitehorse, Ednei Caminhas, and age 10 and under). remove the pigs and get his many top-tier riders compete ride again on a group of more Andrew Alvidrez. Popular rodeo “We are so excited and thankful wastewater system inspected while the Unleash The Beast divi- challenging bulls. They will then entertainer Flint Rasmussen will this year to come back,” said Wat- and approved by the sanitarian. sion is in its offseason. be ranked by the sum of both be providing commentary and son, adding “The energy and sup- Event producer Jacey Watson scores. entertainment throughout the eve- port that has come back this year noted that all crew members, cow- To cheer on riders with Montana ning. has been really wonderful.” See Council, Page 3 One year after a tragic fire, Gardiner welcomes new businesses By Hayden Blackford volunteer firefighter who happened this hard and bounce right back,” Enterprise Intern to be working the day of the fire. Kopland said. “I went from being a bartender to Cameron Walker, an EMT, said The July 14, 2020 fire in Gardiner being a volunteer firefighter,” the event was representative of the left four businesses burned to the Elliott said. community coming together. ground and between 10 and 15 peo- Now she will work at the new “It doesn’t stop when the fire’s ple displaced. One year later the Red’s Blue Goose Saloon, and the out,” Walker said. property owners, Chuck and Lisa Curtis family has been very kind to Walker noticed that the commu- Curtis, gathered locals and first her, said Elliott. nity fundraising was extensive, and responders to reminisce, to thank In place of the Two Bit Saloon, referred to the Two Bit employee the community for continual sup- several local artists displayed their fund, donations to Gateway Hose port and to fundraise for the volun- talent. Jessica Pico, a Gardiner res- Co., a fundraiser by Groovy teer fire department. ident, creates jewelry that draws Smoothie, donations of clothing, A beer garden, alongside three on inspiration from Yellowstone. food, blankets and other non-mone- food trucks and a local art market Pico’s business, Yellowstone Edge tary offers such as places to stay. now give life to the redeveloped Studios, was supposed to be dis- During the fire, Walker was help- lots. played in the Two Bit Saloon on ing with traffic control until he Previously the Two Bit Saloon, July 15, 2020 the day after the fire. received an emergency call that Blue Goose Saloon, Yellowstone Rachael Rhoden, another local took him to Livingston. Raft Company, and Rosie’s Bistro artist, was planning on displaying Pat Hoppe, a volunteer for Gate- had welcomed visitors and locals, art at the Two Bit before it burned. way Hose Co., said the Gardiner in the small town outside Yellow- Rhoden’s art, under the name Sage fire department raised nearly stone National Park. Magnolia, will still be hosted by the $30,000 last year. Between fund- The beer garden is seasonal for Curtis family alongside other art- raisers such as the annual Give a now, said owner Lisa Curtis. She Enterprise photo by Hayden Blackford ists. Hoot, private donations, and busi- said that the family is focused on Attendees enjoy the new Red’s Blue Goose beer garden, and food Robert Kopland, chief of the nesses such as the Ridgeline Hotel redeveloping the art market, and trucks, on the site where the original Blue Goose stood one year ago. Gateway Hose Company, also want- there has been a lot of support, said hosting three food trucks, “Scoop! ed to thank the Curtis family and Hoppe, and JoLynn Sharrow, anoth- There It Is,” “Pizza on the Fly” and the community. er emergency services volunteer. “Magpie Mexican.” collective memories of the busi- best they can. Two of Lisa’s chil- “It’s nice to have them come back Both Hoppe and Sharrow were Lisa Curtis said the family was nesses bonded many. Lisa Curtis dren will be working at the beer and say thank you,” Kopland said. thankful for the community sup- hoping to re-energize commerce on said it was difficult to arrive on the garden — the new Red’s Blue Goose Kopland looked back on the day port, and the support of the Curtis First Street, and that they were scene three days after the blaze, Saloon — as well as several original of the fire, and said while there family.