Rating:

3.0 (1 vote)

The Bear Trap Fire claimed a house and a shop late Tuesday afternoon, but thanks to the efforts of a Madison County Sheriff's Deputy, no one was hurt.

The home was in Bear Trap Canyon, just past the Warm Springs boat launch. There were no evacuation orders for the area and fire crews were working elsewhere when the fire jumped the river and headed right for this house.

Madison County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Bauers saw the fire and raced to the home. "She was talking on the phone and she didn't really know what was going on until I knocked on the door." Bauers said.

Less than three minutes later, the fire was on the home and there was barely time for the couple to grab their pets and drive away. The house, a nearby shop and a vehicle were all a total loss.

The fire continues to burn in the canyon on both sides of the river, although most of Tuesday night's activity was on the west side, driven by winds which have calmed a bit, but are still powerful.

"Probably about two or three more hours of this wind. Once the wind goes down, then everything will set down and the forecast also says that the winds are going to be calm tomorrow, so that'll give the aircraft some time to attack it," Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin explained.

The fire is currently estimated to be 3,000 acres and is 0% contained. HIghway 84, Norris Road remains closed to traffic and motorists need to watch for signs and be prepared to detour.