Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office

09/03/2026

It is Bear Aware Month in Montana

09/01/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE
Dingley Section Wildfire Evacuation Status Update

The Dingley Section of the wildfire has been downgraded from GO to SET status.

The byway and forest remain closed to the public. The U.S. Forest Service has established a closure for the affected area due to ongoing wildfire activity and associated safety concerns.

Members of the public are asked to remain out of the closure area and follow all posted closure orders and instructions from fire and law enforcement personnel.

Fire conditions can change rapidly. Residents in and around the Dingley Section are encouraged to remain prepared to evacuate should conditions worsen or evacuation orders be reinstated.

The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office and fire personnel will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Please do not enter the closed area or the byway. The closure remains in effect for public safety. There is still a large Law Enforcement presence in that area. Any civilian that enters the closure will be subject to criminal charges.

09/01/2026

HIRING-Full Time Detention Officer- (Please DO NOT APPLY online-Applications will only be received by mail or in person)
Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office is hiring a full-time Detention Officer
Responsible for supervising, observing, transporting, booking, searching, and processing inmates at the Sheriff's detention facilities; and performs related duties as required.
This job requires the ability to interpret and enforce institutional rules, regulations, and other policies with firmness, tact and impartiality; observe inmates; to anticipate and avert potential problems; effectively control, direct, and instruct inmates individually and in groups; make accurate risk assessments and inmate classifications; read, speak and write English effectively and interpret written material; make simple arithmetic calculations; use electronic information equipment and specific systems utilized within the department; enter data accurately; use word processing software to prepare clear and concise reports; accurately follow oral and written directions; promote acceptable attitudes and behavior of inmates while in confinement; work with and around a wide variety of people; take verbal abuse without retaliation ; make quick, effective and reasonable decisions in emergencies and take appropriate action to physically restrain violent inmates; work in uniform; work all shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekdays, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
Education and Experience:
This job requires education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Some law enforcement or detention experience is preferred. The job requires completion of a basic detention officer course or equivalent within one year of hire.
Candidates certified for employment must be willing to undergo and successfully complete an in-depth background investigation, including a psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, criminal history check, and a medical examination.
Equal Opportunity Employer, all sexes, ages, and races are encouraged to apply.
40+ hrs/wk, Rotating Shifts, Emergency call-out 24 hrs/day, 7 days/wk
Salary $26.45/hour
$27.69 after probationary period
link for POST app: https://dojmt.gov/post/forms-and-other-documents/
To apply, submit Post Application and Authorization to Release to Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office at 2 So Pacific #16 Dillon Mt 59725.

Your Content Goes Here If you are a Public safety officer or an appointing authority, you may access online forms via the Montana Public Safety Portal. The following documents are available to download

08/31/2026

All County, Sheriff and Dillon PD phones are TEMPORARILY down! A fix is being worked on now… 911 is currently working but please only USE for EMERGENCIES ONLY!

08/27/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE – ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO WILDFIRE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Due to ongoing wildfire activity and changing fire conditions, the following roads and areas are closed to all public access until further notice:

Road Closures:

● Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, from Old Canyon Road to Pettengill Campground.

These closures are implemented to protect the public, provide safe access for firefighting personnel and emergency responders, and allow fire crews to safely conduct suppression operations.

The public is asked to avoid the affected areas and do not attempt to bypass roadblocks or closure points. Any civilian located in the closed areas could be subject to criminal charges. Conditions may change rapidly, and additional roads may be closed as necessary.

Residents and travelers are encouraged to monitor official emergency-management and law-enforcement channels for updates regarding road closures, evacuation information, and changing fire conditions.

Please do not enter closed areas unless specifically authorized and accompanied by emergency personnel.

The safety of residents, visitors, firefighters, and emergency responders remains our highest priority.

Additional information will be provided as conditions allow.

Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Department
August 27, 2026

08/26/2026

Because we can always use some feel good news!!!

Sheriff Wendt rescued this cutie from the south interchange this morning.. Jack Kirkley, Ph. D UMW Emeritus Professor of Biology will safely deliver him to the Montana Raptor Conservation Center in Bozeman to be evaluated for injuries!! We believe he should have a full recovery ❤️‍🩹

08/18/2026

Press Release — Bobcat Fire Moose Creek and Sugarloaf Hill Evacuation Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY THE BEAVERHEAD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Bobcat Fire, Moose Creek and Sugarloaf Hill Residents May Return to their Property

Residents who have been evacuated from areas of Moose Creek and Sugarloaf Hill area are being advised that they may return to their residences on Tuesday 8/18/2026. These area restrictions have been lifted. Je**ed Prairie will remain in the “SET” status.
The Scenic Byway will remain CLOSED!! There will be a strong Law Enforcement presence for the next couple weeks for the safety of residents and emergency responders.

Please use caution, remain vigilant. There will be fire personnel in the area for the next couple weeks.

Please see attached map of you have any questions.

08/17/2026

Press Release — Grasshopper Valley Evacuation Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY THE BEAVERHEAD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Grasshopper Valley Residents that were evacuated in the Shale Creek and Clark Creek area may return to their property 08/17/2026. These two evacuation areas have been moved to “SET” status. Everything above the Clark Creek and Shale Creek area are still in the “GO” status. Residents that had been evacuated in the Billings Creeks area and south, all restrictions have been removed and they may return to their properties. The scenic by way will remain CLOSED until further notice. DO NOT attempt take the by-way. There will be a strong law enforcement presence in the area for the next couple weeks.

Please see attached map of you have any questions.
Fire conditions can change rapidly. The public is encouraged to monitor official emergency notifications and follow directions from local authorities and fire personnel.

The safety of residents and emergency responders remains the highest priority.

Please use caution, remain vigilant, and be prepared to evacuate when directed.

08/15/2026

***Sand Creek / Bobcat Lakes Fire Area Closure***

The Pioneer Mountain Scenic byway remains closed in the area's around the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires.

Traffic restrictions will be increased to this area and will include full stoppage of local traffic due to dangers posed to the public by the affected areas. Fire crews are continuing to work to prevent expansion of the fire around the Polaris/Grasshopper area and traffic activity is interfering with efforts to quickly contain hotspots.

AVOID THIS AREA UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE