As increasing drought pushes western Montana toward a risky fire season, new University of Montana research indicates that wildfire suppression can worsen the effects of wildfire.
Missoula County plans to seek an $80,000 state grant to increase the capacity of the local fire warden during critical fire conditions, it said Tuesday.
Dave Atkins writes, "Whether we live in the forest, prairie or community we all live in an environment that evolved with both intentional fire and wildfires, both of which will never go away."
After more than a year of planning, a project aimed at reducing the risk of power lines sparking a fire in the Rock Creek drainage is set to move forward in partnership with Missoula Electric Cooperative this spring.
A new national climate assessment paints a dismal picture of the Southwest over the next decade, as the rapidly warming climate drives food shortages, intensifies droughts, floods, wildfires and diseases.
In past years, the city has made deep investments into social services but little into fire. The fire department has requested a new station in the Mullan area for the past four years – a request the city has failed to fund.