Winds pushed a grass fire in the Flaming Arrow subdivision just south of Bridger Bowl out of control Saturday evening, prompting emergency officials to close the road and warn Bridger Canyon residents that they may need to evacuate.
The blaze, reported about 5 p.m., was being pressed north by 15 mph sustained winds, according to dispatch reports.
The ski area pitched in to help fight the flames, which remained south and east of the property, said Doug Wales, Bridger's marketing director.
"It hasn't come into the ski area, nor is it threatening any of the structures," Wales said.
At about 9 p.m., Wales said winds seemed to be shifting direction in the canyon, and fire personnel were hopeful the fire would move back on itself.
"It's as favorable a situation as can be at this point," Wales said.
The Montana Department of Transportation closed a four-mile stretch of Bridger Canyon Road, also known as Montana Highway 86, at 6:47 p.m. "due to fire crossing the road," according to a DOT statement. Only residents and those helping with evacuation and fire-fighting efforts were allowed in.
Ray Babcock, a search-and-rescue radio volunteer, said the evacuation was not mandatory early Saturday evening.
"They just gave a warning, meaning if you see a fire out your window, leave," Babcock said.
But Bridger Canyon resident Laurie Gorman said Gallatin County sheriff's deputies had been knocking on doors at least as far north as Bohart Ranch asking people to leave.
The sheriff and Bozeman and Bridger Canyon fire departments were unavailable to provide details about the cause and size of the fire as of press time.
In addition to area fire departments and helicopters battling the blaze, Bridger Bowl had positioned its snow guns as far south as possible, blowing water on the ski area, Wales said.
On Saturday night, the fire had burned no higher up the mountain than the ski area's top "A" parking lot, and remained south of the Bridger Bowl driveway.
Rachel Hergett can be reached at rhergett@dailychronicle.com or 582-2603.
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