Tongue River Reservoir Reopens to Watercraft, Fire Evacuation Lifted

Tongue River Reservoir has reopened to watercraft and the evacuation warning has been lifted. A media release issued by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks states that although wildfires near the reservoir are still not contained, fire activity has calmed enough to lift the evacuation warning and to reopen the reservoir. On Friday amidst aggressive fire activity, an emergency closure of the reservoir was issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks so that fire planes could collect water safely from the reservoir. Big Horn County officials also issued an evacuation warning for the area east of Tongue River Reservoir all the way to the county line.

The closure and evacuation were lifted Sunday afternoon as conditions improved, but fires are still fluid. Fire helicopters may still be using the reservoir, and Pee Wee North Campground is still being utilized as a fire camp. Stage 1 fire restrictions are still in place, and no campfires are allowed. The park has been evacuated three times this summer due to nearby fires, but this was the first emergency closure of the reservoir.