Montana Wildfire News
Wildfire, fire management and air quality news for western Montana and the northern Rockies.
Wildfires across the country are getting bigger, hotter and more devastating. But what’s all this fire really mean — for the West, for firefighters and for everyday folks? Tag along with a firefighter in this episode of Fireline.
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Rain has slowed the spread of the River Road East Fire that has burned down structures and more than 16,000 acres near the town of Paradise.
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The Sanders County Sheriff's Office issued new evacuation information Saturday afternoon for residents and visitors near the River Road East Fire burning about 12,000 acres near the town of Paradise.
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The Flathead County Sheriff Friday afternoon issued a new mandatory evacuation order for the 3,000 acre East Fork Fire burning approximately 12 miles outside of Trego, MT. A new fire burning across the river from Paradise is being pushed by strong winds. Highway 200 is closed from Plains to Highway 135 due to the fire activity.
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Montana’s state auditor says some home insurance companies are failing to provide proper coverage for homeowners due to wildfires.
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Record setting high temperatures and gusty winds created a dramatic increase in fire activity in western Montana Tuesday. However, much of the increased activity was inside containment lines of existing fires. High water temperatures prompted Montana wildlife officials to implement hoot-owl restrictions on the lower Madison River starting Aug. 16.
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The Pacific Northwest is in the middle of a record breaking heatwave. People unaccustomed to 100 degree-plus temperatures are trying to stay cool and nervously watching tinder dry forests.
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Extreme heat and critical fire conditions are forecast through Thursday. Meteorologists say records could be shattered this week.
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The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed a popular northwest Montana reservoir to all public access.
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The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office issued a pre-evacuation notice for some residents along Highway 2 from Martin City to West Glacier due to the Ridge Fire.
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Cooler temperatures and scattered showers this weekend slowed western Montana’s recent fire activity, but officials say it’s only a temporary reprieve.