More fish in Yellowstone River, tributaries being tested for disease

BILLINGS, Mont. — Montana wildlife officials are conducting tests on fish from additional areas to see if they are infected with a disease blamed in a massive fish kill in the Yellowstone River.

State officials closed a 183-mile stretch of the Yellowstone to all recreational activities on Friday. The unprecedented move came after thousands of fish were killed by a disease spread by a microscopic parasite.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokeswoman Andrea Jones says the agency is trying to determine how far the parasite has spread.

Agency personnel on Monday began collecting fish for testing downstream of Springdale. Testing also is planned on three Yellowstone tributaries — the Shields, Boulder and Stillwater Rivers

A community meeting on the closure is set for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Park County Fairgrounds in Livingston.