As what’s being called a “critical fire weather” weekend approaches, Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation says: “Available overhead, crews, engines,& aircraft are insufficient to meet existing needs in the Northern Rockies."
A list of suggested state budget cuts is due to Governor Steve Bullock this evening.
Glacier National Park has stopped issuing backcountry camping permits due to an expected increase in fire activity this weekend.
Officials on the Alice Creek fire announced a few minutes ago that they are evacuating homes along highway 200, from mile post 92 east to Highway 435-434. The evacuations are mandatory and there is a temporary shelter being opened up at the Wolf Creek School.
After days of heavy smoke that helped suppress activity, fire managers at the Rice Ridge fire near Seeley Lake are gearing up for a radical shift in weather that is expected to arrive on Saturday.
Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian says he will not ask state colleges to review their policies about how to handle sexual assault allegations until he gets more detail on changes from the federal government.
State agriculture officials in the Northern Plains have divided up 16 semi-loads of hay donated from around the country to help drought-stricken ranchers in the region.