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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Cooler temperatures and scattered showers this weekend slowed western Montana’s recent fire activity, but officials say it’s only a temporary reprieve.
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Residents south of Highway 93 near Elmo are being told to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire. Several areas in Northwest Montana will move to Stage Two fire restrictions Saturday.
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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.
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Officials have issued an evacuation order for the community of Heinrude near Hungry Horse Reservoir due to wildfires burning in the area. Fire officials say that the Tub Gulch Fire burning in Libby’s “asbestos forest” is contained. Firefighters reached 19% containment on the Colt Fire northwest of Seeley Lake Wednesday morning.
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The Tub Gulch Fire is burning within Libby’s ‘asbestos forest’ near the defunct vermiculite mine. Forest Service crews began emergency fire prevention work this week in the area around Butte’s largest municipal water supply.The Flathead County Commission enacted an emergency declaration Tuesday.
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Bone dry conditions, powerful winds and multiple new wildfire starts kept ground and air firefighting resources busy in recent days. Evacuation orders are in effect northwest of Polson due to the Nirada Fire.
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Evacuation orders were issued due to a fast-moving fire near Lolo for areas west of Agate Drive and north of Jade Lane.
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The U.S. Forest Service has determined that wildfire risk around Butte’s main water treatment facility is serious enough to warrant emergency action. Agency crews will begin mitigation work immediately.
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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.
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Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect due to the Colt Fire, burning northwest of Seeley Lake. Residents near the intersection of Beaver Creek Road and Highway 83 have been ordered to evacuate. A lightning-caused fire is burning roughly 120 acres five miles east of Arlee.