USFS suddenly shuts public roads prior to elk hunt

[Straight Arrow]

The USAF UH-1 helicopters are not rescue helicopters, I wonder why a MTARNG medivac helicopter, with hoist and flight medic wasn’t called?

Montana Army Guard aviation does not routinely assist with civilian medevac or search and rescue, unless under unusual circumstances and at the direction of the Dept of Military Affairs and/or the Governor. Malmstrom AFB has a UH-1N twin engine helicopter unit that routinely participates in search and rescue missions, mostly in central Montana but wherever they are requested.
(For full disclosure, after US Army active duty I spent twenty-five years in the Montana Guard, many of those years as an Army Aviator.)

 

[ismith]

Montana Army Guard aviation does not routinely assist with civilian medevac or search and rescue, unless under unusual circumstances and at the direction of the Dept of Military Affairs and/or the Governor. Malmstrom AFB has a UH-1N twin engine helicopter unit that routinely participates in search and rescue missions, mostly in central Montana but wherever they are requested.
(For full disclosure, after US Army active duty I spent twenty-five years in the Montana Guard, many of those years as an Army Aviator.)

I have to admit I knew the answer to the question before I asked it. I just find it a bit funny that there are over $100 mil+ worth of Medivac UH-60Ls and UH-72s that rarely if ever get used in that role in state. Instead, they are used to fight forest fires, while a handful of 40+ year old USAF helicopters, whose primary mission is supporting the missile silos, are called on.

 

[Hunting Wife]

I would be on board with a system where by the agency may issue a travel warning, but things remain open. If people choose to go out anyway during the warning, fine. But if they need a rescue during the warning, they should foot their own rescue bill. After a couple of examples, I think most people would start making better decisions about their abilities to operate in those conditions. And those who are skilled and prepared aren’t automatically barred from going out.

 

[2rocky]

How quickly some people forget.....

Stranded hunters holding out

An estimated 1,500 residents about 60 miles southeast of Flagstaff have been without power since Monday's blizzard, and APS doesn't know how long it will take to restore electricity.

azdailysun.com

 

[hank4elk]

It's gotten "Real Western" here today...rained on the snow then heavy wet snow piling up.

 

[Southern Elk]

The snow couldn’t keep the ladies from shopping in Bozeman today. My wife is glad they don’t close roads here for snow.

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

So how much snow did they get in Flag?
We got dumped on up there last year and got around fine with quite a bit of snow. It's the F'n wind that makes it miserable there.

 

[hank4elk]

2Rocky linked one article. Trees down on roads compounded by deep wet snow.
18"-24" I heard right before this storm, & they get feet of snow.
I've seen 5 feet in Flagg. AZ GF closed the office outside town on Lake Mary rd. today. Last weather video I saw @ 5pm showed more than a foot new & snowing in town. Windy.

 

[MTGomer]

2Rocky linked one article. Trees down on roads compounded by deep wet snow.
18"-24" I heard right before this storm, & they get feet of snow.
I've seen 5 feet in Flagg. AZ GF closed the office outside town on Lake Mary rd. today. Last weather video I saw @ 5pm showed more than a foot new & snowing in town. Windy.

I believe that article is from 2009, and he was using it as an example of what can happen.

It sounds like there’s about a foot in Flagstaff and about 8” in Pinetop

 

[Oak]

So how much snow did they get in Flag?

As of 5PM local.

 

[OverlordBear]

If you let them back there take away their cells phones and Inreach emergency communications and then open the roads. If people know there will be no rescue they will use adequate caution. The problem is we as a society continue to bail out stupid people. Accept the risk and manage it. If you are reckless and negligent then oh well that is on you. It is just like making cops carry narcan to save junkies. If they od and no one bails them out maybe less people will be junkies due to the inherent risk. I wish this logic was applied across the board.

 

[noharleyyet]

C’mon man, accountability is for suckers.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Some day they will close all eastern MT back roads when rain is in the forecast. For your own good, of course.

We regret to inform you that all unpaved roads east of Billings will be closed until further notice on account of a major rain event in the forecast. We just don't have enough helicopters to rescue everybody and get them back to work on Monday. Sorry, we feel bad, this is just a no win situation. In the past people have got stuck and made ruts in the roads and whatnot, and we can't afford to grade them. Trust us, you will be better off at home.

Kinda like Az.

 

[hank4elk]

I believe that article is from 2009, and he was using it as an example of what can happen.

It sounds like there’s about a foot in Flagstaff and about 8” in Pinetop

Feels like winter 10 years ago too. There was snow on ground before this storm.
But what do I know,except I'm 4 hrs away & will not be getting THE CALL anymore.
Good luck & good hunting.
14deg & windy here,rained on the snow then a few inches blew in. Nice & crunchy.

 

[antlerradar]

Some day they will close all eastern MT back roads when rain is in the forecast. For your own good, of course.

We regret to inform you that all unpaved roads east of Billings will be closed until further notice on account of a major rain event in the forecast. We just don't have enough helicopters to rescue everybody and get them back to work on Monday. Sorry, we feel bad, this is just a no win situation. In the past people have got stuck and made ruts in the roads and whatnot, and we can't afford to grade them. Trust us, you will be better off at home.

With all the moisture we have had in SE Montana this year the roads on the Custer are a disaster this year. Some of the two tracks across the prairie are more like six tracks in many places as people drove on the sod to avoid the mud. As much as I hate to see the recourse abused I am not for shutting down the roads every time it rains.
Shutting down public land for safety should only be used in when absolutely necessary. This could easily become a slippery slope. Should we ban all out of boundary skiing or rock climbing? I think not.
Sometimes public safety is cited as a reason for a closure and the people backing the closure have other motives. (I am thinking WY wilderness guide rule) I hope this in not the case in AZ.

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

As of 5PM local.

That's a lot of snow for that area.

 

[Addicting]

That's a lot of snow for that area.

Also a drop in the bucket for other areas that are open.

 

[Falcon75]

Hunt clint's well from the highway or anywhere along there. Just drive at dusk and try not to get one. That's why my hunting truck has a tape player not a mp3. A 4 thousand dollar bullet is a lot easier to swallow than 45-50,000.
I do like idea that give warning and if need help really have to pay up.

 

[BigHornRam]

In 2017 someone got their truck and stock trailer over Lulu pass and all the way down to Lake Abundance before it snowed 3+feet. (Gasp... the Custer Gallatin doesn’t close roads for snow, let alone forecasted snow)
They had to hire the groomer/plow thing from Cooke to get them out. I saw a picture of it taken from a plane. Hilarious. And beyond stupid, but I fully support their freedom to make bad decisions.
Bet he doesn’t do that again.

This story is almost as good.

Semi-Truck Driver Gets Stuck in Snow After Ignoring Closed Signs on US-212 Beartooth Highway, WY - SnowBrains

Wyoming Highway Patrol was called to rescue a semi-truck driver and his passenger who became stuck in snow on the iconic US-212 / Beartooth Highway

snowbrains.com

 

[7 mag]

) in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and surrounding areas stranding outfitters, clients and hunters. Two forests then spent almost a week supporting these camps with food and hay for the stock and routing logistics to get them out.
This, also happened in wyoming