wildfire

State lawmakers heard testimony last week on the connection between wildfires and skyrocketing insurance rates. Average insurance premiums for a typical Montana homeowner increased by 10% from 2021-2024.

State legislators received an update Wednesday on the goals of the federal government’s effort to streamline wildfire fighting resources. The Wildland Fire Service unifies operations previously managed by several federal agencies.

Great Falls fire officials responded to two back-to-back grass fires this week. Thursday’s weather forecast in north-central Montana is calling for another round of wind and warmer-than-normal conditions.

This week, we shift gears to examine another thorny environmental issue in the West: Wildfire. Fires are getting bigger and more destructive, and as part of the ecosystem, they're not going away. Listen in as four wildfire experts discuss the issue at the Free Press Fest in Bozeman.

Public comment period opens for proposed Medicaid work requirements. Chippewa Cree Tribe awarded $2.5 million for hepatitis C treatment. Missoula County awarded $1.2 million for wildfire mitigation. Trump administration appoints new director of Montana's Rural Development office. UM, MSU report growth in enrollment and student retention

The word "wildfire" often conjures dramatic images of walls of flame, charred landscapes and one particularly famous photo of elk in a river, surrounded by flames. So, how do wildlife fare during these big fires? This week on The Big Why, a listener asks, why we don't get any statistics on wildlife that die in wildfires.

The Powell County Sheriff's Office has issued an emergency wildfire evacuation order for all residents in the OS Properties - Garnet Mountain Property area south of Helmville. Residents should leave immediately.

A fast-moving wildfire temporarily closed the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 in Missoula Friday. Buses were used to quickly evacuate businesses in the fire’s path. The fire burned an estimated 5 acres before being extinguished by firefighters.

Western Montana’s relatively tame wildfire season is suddenly ramping up in intensity, and changing weather conditions are expected to boost fire risk this week.

The City of Helena next week begins a two-month long hazardous fuels reduction project.. That means portions of some local hiking trails will be temporarily closed.