Montana Public Radio

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Fires Keep Crews Busy In Southern Montana

By • Jul 13, 2020

Lightning, warm temperatures and dry conditions are keeping firefighters busy in the region. YPR’s Kay Erickson has the details.

Drought Conditions Expected To Worsen In Southern Montana

By • Jul 8, 2020
Drought conditions in Montana as of June 30, 2020.
Adam Hartman - NOAA/NWS/NCEP/CPC

Montana’s southern tier is experiencing drought conditions that are expected to intensify this summer. That’s according to the latest Montana Drought Forecast report, presented this week to the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee.

Northwest and west central Montana started out dry in early spring but have recently benefited from lots of rain and cooler-than-normal temperatures.

How To Assess Wildfire Risk At Your Home

By Morgan Levey • Jun 17, 2020

 

Montana is predicted to have an above average wildfire season. And with firefighters potentially facing dual emergencies of wildfire and COVID-19, specialists say that this year, more than any other, residents can play a vital role in keeping firefighters safe by preparing their homes and communities. Morgan Levey takes us on a wildfire assessment of her home.

Montana Fire Managers Say They're Ready For Season Complicated By COVID-19

By • Jun 17, 2020


Wildland fire managers told Governor Steve Bullock June 16 in a 2020 fire season briefing they’re ready for what could become an above average fire year made even more complicated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Helena-Area Fire Evac. Warnings Lifted; Powder River County Fire Grows

By • Jun 16, 2020
Fire hose.
Inciweb

Pre-evacuation notices were lifted Tuesday for about 20 homes threatened by the Lump Gulch Fire burning south of Helena in Jefferson County. Strong winds caused the fire to grow quickly this weekend.

John Tubbs, Director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, says he doesn't know how those homes were spared.

Wildfire Containment Strategies To Incorporate COVID-19 Precautions

By Morgan Levey • Jun 16, 2020


A 1,500 acre wildfire south of Helena kicked off Montana’s fire season this past weekend. This year, many of the strategies fire crews use to protect property and resources will look different as fire fighters also try to protect themselves from the COVID-19 illness. Two Type 1 fire incident commanders break down how new COVID-19 protocols will play out in the Northern Rockies.

Above-Normal Fire Season Shaping Up In Northern Rockies

By & Brett French • Jun 8, 2020
BLM firefighters stand near their firetruck as smoke rises up in the background.
BLM (CC-BY-2.0)

Fire potential in Western Montana this summer is predicted to be above normal, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

“The wild card, of course, is COVID and how we’ll deal with response,” said Bryan Henry, a NIFC meteorologist, in a June 1 podcast.

Montana Spring Water Storage 'Normal' Heading Into Fire Season

By • May 18, 2020


A new report from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is tentatively hopeful about Montana’s spring water outlook heading into fire season.

How Do You Fight Wildfires While Social Distancing? Nobody's Sure

By • Apr 9, 2020
Firefighters loading up onto a helicopter on the Sunrise Fire.
Rand Snyder/Inciweb

Traditional wildland firefighting is defined by women and men working, eating and sleeping shoulder to shoulder for days on end. That close-quarters work could endanger firefighters during the ongoing pandemic.

Edward O’Brien reports on how Montana’s fire managers are preparing for a season that could be like none other in recent memory.

Grants Available For Home Wildfire Protection

By Aura Wetzel • Jan 13, 2020

 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) plans to award $500 grants to homeowners for fire protection. 

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