Gallatin Media Center

For immediate release: Aug. 19, 2025

Multiple agencies are responding to a wildfire burning in a remote area about 20 miles south of Big Sky. 

The West Fork Fire was reported shortly before 6:30 PM on Tuesday, Aug. 19 and produced a large smoke column visible from Big Sky and West Yellowstone. The fire is located in the South Madison Range, just north of the Beaver Creek Forest Service cabin on the Custer Gallatin National Forest. As of 7:30 PM, it was estimated at approximately 50 acres. The cause remains unknown. 

At this time, the fire does not pose a threat to Big Sky. 

A Red Flag warning remains in effect through 10 PM on Wednesday. Weather will include hot temperatures, breezy winds and low humidities. 

Please stay out of the Taylor Fork and Beaver Creek areas until further notice. While no official Forest Service closures are in place at this time, the public is strongly encouraged to avoid the area. 

Agencies assisting on the fire include the U.S. Forest Service, Big Sky Fire Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin County Emergency Management, Hebgen Basin Fire District, and West Yellowstone Police Department. 

Further updates will be provided as information becomes available. 

Sign up for emergency alerts through the Gallatin County Community Notification System at www.readygallatin.com/public-warning/community-notification-system. 

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For immediate release: Aug. 16, 2025

Gallatin County, Mont. – The Gallatin County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred on Friday evening in Bozeman.

The deceased has been identified as 23-year-old Keanen Schroeder of Bozeman. Schroeder died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Next of kin have been notified.

The crash occurred near the intersection of 19th Avenue and Stucky Road. The incident is under investigation by the Bozeman Police Department with assistance from the Montana Highway Patrol.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Schroeder during this difficult time.

Shortly after 4:00pm on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad responded to an accident involving a pedestrian that was struck by a train. The female was identified as 20-year-old Anna Steigerwald of Littleton, CO. who died after being struck by the train.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and all affected by the tragic loss of Anna.

For immediate release: August 15, 2025

The Gallatin City-County Health Department has been notified of a suspected HAB in Hyalite Reservoir, Hebgen Lake, Heather Lake in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, and in Elk Grove Pond, south of the Four Corners area. Water samples were collected and have been sent to labs for verification.

Click here to read the entire press release. 

For immediate release: Aug. 11, 2025

The death on August 10, 2025, outside of Walmart in Bozeman has been classified as suicide. The male has been identified as 61-year-old Roland Nelson of Bozeman.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer wishes to express his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Roland Nelson.

Please remember to talk with someone or call 988 if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.

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The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a recent string of vehicle break-ins that have occurred in the River Rock Subdivision over the past several nights. Multiple residents have reported vehicles being entered and personal property stolen.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office urges all residents and visitors to take proactive steps to prevent further incidents.

 Safety Reminders:

• Always lock your vehicle, even if parked in your driveway or directly outside your home.
• Remove valuables such as wallets, purses, electronics, and keys from vehicles.
• Never leave firearms in vehicles overnight.
• Report suspicious activity immediately by calling 406-582-2100 or 911 if a crime is in progress.
• Consider installing security cameras or motion-activated lights to deter criminal activity.

For immediate release: Aug. 7, 2025

Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
406-595-8963 (cell)
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov

Gallatin County Seeks Public Input on Short-Term Rentals in Four Corners

The Gallatin County Commission is inviting the public to a community meeting to share updates and gather more feedback on a proposed zoning change for the Four Corners area. The proposal would set rules for short term rentals, like vacation rentals, and outline where they would be allowed in the Four Corners Zoning District.

For immediate release: July 31, 2025 

Media contact:
Eric Paulson, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy
epaulson@gallatin.mt.gov
406-582-2100
  

Meet Your Gallatin County First Responders at National Night Out 

Join Gallatin County and first responders from across the area for National Night Out in Bozeman on Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5 to 8 PM at Bozeman Pond, 550 S. Fowler Ave. 

This free, family-friendly event is a unique opportunity to connect with the people who serve and protect our community every day. Whether you’re curious about local emergency response, want to teach your kids about safety, or just enjoy community events with a purpose, this evening has something for everyone. 

More than a dozen local agencies will be on hand! You’ll get to meet and talk with the people behind the badges, sirens, and radios. Ask questions, see equipment up close, and enjoy live demos. It’s a rare chance to see how our local agencies work together to keep Gallatin County safe. 

“Events like National Night Out give us the chance to connect with the people we serve in a relaxed, positive setting,” said Eric Paulson, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy. “It’s about building trust, having conversations, and showing our community that we’re here for them, not just in times of crisis, but every day. Together, we can build a safer Gallatin County and ensure our community continues to thrive.” 

Gallatin County will be there in full force, including: 

• Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office: 

• • Search and Rescue 

• • Patrol Division 

• • Detention Center staff 

• • SWAT team 

• • Mounted (Horse) Unit 

• Gallatin County 911 

This is your chance to explore patrol vehicles, check out the gear used in rescue operations, meet the horses of the Mounted Unit, and chat with our 911 dispatchers. 

“National Night Out is a great opportunity for the community to connect with the people behind the voices on the other end of a 911 call. We encourage everyone to stop by, meet our staff, ask questions, and see the equipment we use to serve and protect our community every day,” said Tim Martindale, Gallatin County 911 Director. 

And come hungry! Thanks to the Bozeman Police Foundation and the Gallatin County Public Safety Foundation, free food and snow cones will be available for the first 400 attendees. 

We’re proud to serve Gallatin County, and we’re looking forward to a fun, meaningful evening with our community. We hope to see you there! 

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For immediate release: July 22, 2025

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Manhattan Police Department in a missing/endangered child investigation.

Elizabeth Dundas was last seen on the evening of Monday July 21, 2025 around 10:30 P.M. in the area of east Manhattan, Montana.

She is believed to be driving a 2019 black Nissan Rouge with Montana license plate # 6-07467D and damage to the rear passenger bumper.

Please report any sightings or information on her whereabouts to the Manhattan Police Department (406-284-6630) or the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office (406-582-2100) if you or anyone you know has had contact with Elizabeth.

Please help find Elizabeth.

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For immediate release: July 21, 2025

Sheriff Dan Springer invites the public to the presentation of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (MSPOA), Medal of Merit award ceremony on Tuesday 22 July 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center Community Room located at 605 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman.

The MSPOA Medal of Merit is a statewide annual award requiring an award nomination by a sheriff in Montana and proceeds through a vetting and voting process to identify the best statewide candidate. The Medal of Merit is given to a sheriff’s office law enforcement officer or civilian employee for contributions to their community and to the field of law enforcement and criminal justice.

This year’s award recipient is Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office civilian employee, Senior Detention Administrative Assistant, Paula Joniak. Paula is an extraordinary worker with a list of collateral duties that alone would be a full-time job.

Paula runs the 24/7 Alcohol Monitoring program, often requiring her to coordinate with the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office and testify in court proceedings. Paula conducts administrative investigations for the detention centers Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) required by federal law for all detention centers.

Paula developed and implemented a Spanish jail commands training course for both detention officers and Spanish-speaking inmates. She also translates criminal justice documents and forms into Spanish and provides verbal interpretation over the phone, in the facility lobby, and for new inmates during intake.

Paula is not only in the detention center but can be found conducting critical Spanish translation throughout the county including for sheriff’s office criminal investigations. If this was not enough, Paula also volunteered as a Child Forensic Interviewer specializing in Spanish-speaking child victims and witnesses. Paula does all of this while maintaining her primary job duties of new employee training, customer service, answering phone calls and coordinating visitors in need of fingerprints.

You can find Paula in the office early, working late and weekends helping staff, inmates and visitors. Paula has a huge heart for this office, the Gallatin County community and is an example of the exceptional employees that call the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office home.

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