wildfire

With the core wildfire season in the rear view mirror, fire officials are taking stock of the summer’s activity. It was marked by intense heat, fast initial attacks on new starts, and a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with fighting fire.

Within the past few days firefighters have responded to three small wildfires in western Montana.

As wildfire seasons change, more people are exposed to more intense fires and more smoke. Public health researchers from across the West met last week to discuss how to prepare for a future with fire.

Homeowners in Montana are facing challenges to find– and pay for– insurance due to rising wildfire risk.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a powerful windstorm across much of Montana Friday.

Firefighters jump out of planes or dig miles of line to try and stop a fire’s spread. Some do this while pregnant. For women in firefighting, balancing careers with the demands of motherhood can often force them out of the jobs they love. But a new group of women in fire is trying to change that.

Schools kept students inside for recess and athletics Monday as a thick blanket of smoke smothered western and central Montana. New research aims to better understand air quality inside schools.

Dry conditions and gusty winds fueled fire growth on the Sharrott Creek Fire near Stevensville and the Johnson Fire near the Springer Memorial Community, prompting new evacuations for the latter.

Firefighters have slowed growth on the Sharrott Creek Fire burning west of Stevensville, and reached 40% containment on the Big Hollow Fire in Southwest Montana.

The Big Hollow fire burning 14 miles west of Grant in Beaverhead County grew to an estimated 3,400 acres over the weekend.