drought

Officials with Montana’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory committee say the state’s drought conditions have persisted in the fall, but they’re cautiously optimistic about upcoming weather patterns.

As farmers are wrapping up wheat harvest, they are seeing lower yields as a result of drought conditions. But higher wheat prices may help some producers offset the losses.

More Montana livestock producers are now eligible for drought disaster assistance. The U.S. Drought Monitor was updated today and conditions in some parts of Montana are intensifying.

Recent rainfall and early conservation efforts have replenished water supplies in several Montana cities, leading officials to repeal restrictions on water use.

Wildfires have torched almost 800,000 acres in Montana so far this year. But burns in eastern Montana’s grass and farmland and western Montana’s mountainous, timbered landscape behave very differently. Freddy Monares spoke to MTPR reporter and editor on the podcast Fireline Nick Mott about the different types of fires in Montana.

Where there are stressed fish, there are stressed fishing guides. As Montana and much of the west feel the effects of persistent drought, those with a line in the future of the state’s fisheries are navigating high temperatures, low flow and closures across the state.

Montana is experiencing severe drought this year that’s fueling wildfires, killing crops and leaving rivers running low and warm. Freddy Monares talks with MTPR's Shaylee Ragar about the impacts of the extreme conditions, and what the state can do about it now and in the future.

The City of Polson has declared a water emergency, and is the latest Montana community to implement temporary water restrictions. Water to 60 homes in the city was shut off Monday as the region faces extraordinary demand and low supply.

The USDA opened swathes of conservation easements in Montana for emergency haying and grazing. It’s a sign of relief for farmers and ranchers during drought conditions. The department started accepting applications to access Conservation Reserve Program lands in the state earlier this week.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture July 6 designated another 15 Montana counties as natural disaster areas due to severe drought. In a letters Tuesday to…