Public libraries have books, magazines, movies and … fresh air? Missoula Public Library and its satellite campuses have been set up as spaces where people can gather during hot, smoky days and breathe clean air.

The Northern Rockies is expected to have a normal springtime wildfire season, despite the warm winter and low snowpack. That’s not an ironclad guarantee, but early indicators are not raising any red flags.

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.

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 U.S. Forest Service is moving forward with a plan to roughly double the acreage for prescribed burns across the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

An evacuation order issued by the Ravalli County Sheriff due to a wildfire burning in the area has been rescinded. Evacuation warnings remain in place.