Cross-posted from Facebook . . . Well, we are almost out of the woods for Fire Season 2020 in the Northern Rockies. We have areas of dry fuel with potential in Eastern Montana, although the forecast is for normal fire potential across the Geographic Area. Our rainfall in Northwest Montana on September 24 and 25 provided significant relief, but the… Read more →
Well, there is Good News and Not as Good News in this Month’s Wildland Fire Potential Outlook! The Good News is that Montana is now not forecasted for an “Above Normal” September as it has been in the past two Outlooks. The “Not as Good” News is that things are critically dry across the State. Energy Release Components, an indication… Read more →
As expected, Northwest Montana continues to be projected as above normal for fire activity through August and September. We can all be glad that the moisture we got at the end of June and the first of July pushed our fire season out from becoming active in early to mid July. But, with the current temperatures, low overnight temperature and… Read more →
The Current Wildland Fire Potential Outlook has been posted, and it refines the forecast for our fire season in Northwest Montana. We did see benefit from the significant moisture received over the past two weeks, so our season will be delayed until later in July. That is good news. But August and September are still forecast to be Above Normal… Read more →
Here is the weblink for the current outlook: https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf As I said, the Outlooks issued June 1 and July 1 give us a much better picture of how the fire season might shape up. And, it is not looking good for Northwestern Montana. We are forecast to have a more active than normal fire season in July, August and September…. Read more →
[You can download the May 1 Fire Season Outlook by clicking here (PDF format, 1.03MB).] The Outlook is ominous for Northwest Montana. This is early — the June 1 and July 1 Outlooks will be much more reliable. However, it is enough to make us concerned about the fire season, more so than usual. Time to get things squared away… Read more →
Greetings! Here is the July/August/September Wildland Fire Potential Outlook issued today. No big change here: https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf While we have appreciated the moisture we received lately, we are still behind in overall precipitation for the year. And while there is probability of showers in the forecast, I’m thinking things are going to dry out – and probably quickly by late July. … Read more →
Northwestern Montana (including the Flathead) is forecasted for above normal large fire potential starting in mid-July and continuing through August into at least mid-September. So, it has the potential to be a busy fire season in the North Fork. Click on the link below for the report. Allen Chrisman https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf
Here is the October 1 Wildland Fire Potential Outlook: https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf Not much of a surprise here. As I was discussing with Lynn Ogle last week, we haven’t had a “season-ending” event, but the door is slowly closing on the fire season in the North Fork. Note the forecast for warmer temperatures and below average snowpack for the Northern Rockies over… Read more →
Following is an article that was sent by our good North Fork neighbor, Karina Pettey… Saturday, August 11, 2018: Lightning punctuated local radio chatter as my neighbors tried to pinpoint strikes from the predicted dry storm. Using lightning app technology and line of sight, they worked to identify potential areas to watch for smoke. For now, darkness shrouded the forest… Read more →