Flathead National Forest

The public can once again weigh in on plans for a historic lakeside lodge in the Swan Valley

The Flathead National Forest says it’s received a new permit application for Holland Lake Lodge. A Forest Service spokesperson says the application is for the continued use of the lodge in its existing footprint, with no proposed expansion.

Road-building in the Flathead National Forest is harming threatened grizzly bears and bull trout, according to a federal judge.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with a Great Falls oil refinery for its federal Clean Air Act violations. Groundwater near a lake in the Swan Valley has not been contaminated due to wastewater leaking from a nearby holding pond.

The project near Olney is within the area burned by the East Fork Fire this summer. The project would allow for logging on 250 acres to salvage fire-killed trees that would otherwise decay. It would also include a half-mile of temporary road construction.

The Flathead National Forest is reopening more of the Hungry Horse Reservoir to the public as recent rains have helped firefighters contain wildfires in the area.

The Bitterroot National Forest seeks comment on four proposed fuel break projects. The Flathead National Forest is also seeking comment on a proposed logging project. A new report shows Yellowstone visitors, spending dropped by a third this year.

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.

The 13,000 acre Middle Ridge Fire burning west of Ronan is listed at 25% containment. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ (CSKT) Division of Fire said crews continued mop up efforts Thursday. The almost 14,000 acre Niarada Fire west of Elmo continues actively burning in a mix of timber and brush.

Fire officials announced Wednesday that Stage 1 fire restrictions will be implemented across most of northwest Montana this weekend. The move comes in advance of anticipated above-normal temperatures and deepening drought conditions.