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Fire Season Expected to Last to End of September
State officials say nearly 1,400 fires have destroyed 372 structures this season.
Forest managers told Gov. Brian Schweitzer Wednesday that Montana's fire season is expected to last longer than usual, with forecasts calling for dangerous conditions that could keep blazes burning through the end of September.
The Northern Rockies Coordination Center put the total cost of fighting large wildfires in Montana, including costs to federal and state agencies, at $64 million so far this season.
The state's cost is about $25 million to fight fires that have burned about 1,100 square miles, and both figures are expected to rise, Schweitzer was told.
State officials said nearly 1,400 fires, about half human caused, have destroyed 372 structures this season.
Schweitzer said the state has already burned through cash reserves set aside for such natural disasters, but pointed out that plenty of money is available from surplus general funds.
The governor was told more thunderstorms are in the forecast. And although fire season usually is brought to an end with cool weather by the second weekend in September, few expect that will be the case this year.
The briefing came with a report that a weather system that ran through a swath of the state Tuesday night came with more than 7,000 lightning strikes over the last 24 hours that could have sparked more blazes.
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reported that firefighter fatigue is now becoming an issue with a fire season that started unusually early.
"There's no definitive end in sight for our above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation," said Schweitzer. "Fuels are bone dry. This fire season could last through September, maybe longer, and we need to take every precaution until it's over."
The governor cautioned hunters and others who will be recreating in the woods to be extra careful.
Both state and federal fire managers have increased efforts to be aggressive with initial fire attacks this year as a way to hopefully stop fires before they have a chance to become large blazes that are expensive and difficult to handle.
The Northern Rockies Coordination Center put the total cost of fighting large wildfires in Montana, including costs to federal and state agencies, at $64 million so far this season.
The state's cost is about $25 million to fight fires that have burned about 1,100 square miles, and both figures are expected to rise, Schweitzer was told.
Schweitzer said the state has already burned through cash reserves set aside for such natural disasters, but pointed out that plenty of money is available from surplus general funds.
The governor was told more thunderstorms are in the forecast. And although fire season usually is brought to an end with cool weather by the second weekend in September, few expect that will be the case this year.
The briefing came with a report that a weather system that ran through a swath of the state Tuesday night came with more than 7,000 lightning strikes over the last 24 hours that could have sparked more blazes.
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation reported that firefighter fatigue is now becoming an issue with a fire season that started unusually early.
"There's no definitive end in sight for our above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation," said Schweitzer. "Fuels are bone dry. This fire season could last through September, maybe longer, and we need to take every precaution until it's over."
The governor cautioned hunters and others who will be recreating in the woods to be extra careful.
Both state and federal fire managers have increased efforts to be aggressive with initial fire attacks this year as a way to hopefully stop fires before they have a chance to become large blazes that are expensive and difficult to handle.
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