Hot Temperatures Return Missoula County to High Fire Danger
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The warm early days of September have caused the Missoula County Fire Protection Association to return Missoula back to high fire danger.
I spoke with Max Rebholz, Wildfire Preparedness Coordinator about what brought about the increase in fire danger.
“The hot and dry conditions have returned to western Montana and the Missoula area,” began Rebholz. “It caused the Energy Release Component Indices, which is just a measure of how dry the fuels are; the grasses and trees and the vegetation. Those markers have moved up, and now we move from Moderate to High fire danger due to the prolonged dryness and increased temperatures that we've been having.”
Missoula County Returns to High Fire Danger
Rebholz said 2024 has been a low precipitation year, specifically in Missoula.
“This is a historically low water year; a low precipitation year, specifically, up at the Blackfoot watershed, they're experiencing some exceptional drought conditions, and we're all just waiting for more than just little bouts of rain,” he said. “You know, we had some rain in August, and I’m not sure if it was above average or average, but definitely wasn't enough to really kick us out of those drought conditions that we've been having.”
Rebholz said the Missoula area is just barely out of the ‘above average’ category when it comes to fire weather.
Missoula County Expected to Have Normal Precipitation This Fall and Winter
“Some areas of Montana will experience above-average fire weather going into October and even into November,” he said. “Missoula County and Western Montana seem to be just on the outside of that, but areas like the Beaverhead down by the Dillon and Butte areas are expected to be more above average fire potential for the remainder of the fall, rather than like the Missoula area, which is supposed to be right around the average for September, October, and November.”
Rebholz referenced the mtfireinfo.org website to get more accurate information.
READ MORE: Western Montana Braces For Increased Fire Activity
Rebholz Encourages Caution When Recreating in Western Montana
“There are any restrictions right now in the Missoula area, but as you venture out, specifically into southwest Montana, there are definitely fire restrictions in place,” he said. “However, even if there aren't fire restrictions in place, just being mindful of what the weather is doing that day; if it's hot, windy if it's feeling dry out there, it's not a good idea to start a fire. Check out mtfireinfo.org for more information about fire and restrictions.”
Get more details about the Missoula County Fire Protection Association here.