Controversy Grows Over Montana's Forest Service Land Decisions

With about 37% of Montana's Forest Service lands impacted, there's a lot of debate and uncertainty emerging over the U.S. Agriculture Secretary's announcement that the agency will start to rescind the controversial "Roadless Area Rule."

That's because of the complexity of the way the rule has been implemented, at a time when most of our National Forests in the Northern Rockies updated their road inventories and travel plans.

🌲 But also, as forest managers point out, not all of that territory is even good for growing and harvesting timber.

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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the move is to clear the way for President Trump's orders to increase timber harvests for both economic reasons, and wildfire management.

Senator Steve Daines, who has long railed against what has been called "de facto wilderness", calls it a "huge win", allowing Montana to be "better equipped" to manage the forests and protect communities.

But the Center for Western Priorities shot back that the move is "an attack on clean water, wildlife, Western communities and recreation on public lands." They argue logging would actually hasten climate change, increasing fire risk.

Montana fire update

There's still no containment on the blaze. But fire crews are continuing to use the cooler weather to get a better handle on the Jericho Mountain fire burning west of Helena. Over 450 firefighters are building lines, and have structure protection in place in case the blaze flares up and tried to down the mountain into Rimini. It's burned just under 3-hundred 70-acres as of yesterday.

-Meanwhile, crews have completely contained the Wolf Syrup Fire near Libby, which started last week, limiting it to 1-hundred 40-acres.

Crews feed branches and downed wood into a chipper along a contingency road, producing wood chips that are then scattered on the forest floor. This process helps reduce ladder fuels and decrease fuel intensity if a fire reaches the area.; USFS photo

Wisconsin sex crimes fugitive apprehended in Montana

Lake County authorities say they've apprehended a 71-year old Polson man who was wanted in Wisconsin for child sex abuse.

Lake County Sheriff Don Bell says Kenneth Galewyrick was a former physician who was wanted for "enticement of children." He's being held pending extradition.

Big blow out repaired, Montana farmers and ranchers rejoice

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation photo

Just a few days after the one year anniversary of a major blow-out, the Bureau of Reclamation says the water is flowing again through the Milk River Irrigation Project, providing critical water to farmers and ranchers all across Northern Montana.

-The water supply was cut off after a massive failure of the St. Mary Siphon on the northern Rocky Mountain Front last June.

Tragic discovery in the Paradise Valley

Investigators are now saying the death of two women found in a car in the Paradise Valley appears to be a case of murder-suicide.

The Park County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called yesterday to the area of Chico Cemetery Road in Emigrant to check the report of two deceased people in a vehicle. They've since determined the victims are two local women, and they believe one woman shot the other and then took her own life.

-The sheriff is reminding people to seek help if you know someone contemplating suicide.

Veteran ambulance driver killed

The Carbon County Sheriff has identified the ambulance driver who was killed yesterday afternoon when his medical unit was hit by an oncoming truck on Highway 310 near Fromberg.

The sheriff's office says Everett Edwards, a veteran of the Clarks Fork Ambulance service died from injuries he suffered when the unit was hit by an oncoming Ford F350. Montana Highway Patrol troopers say Edwards was attempting to turn onto Goldie Road, when he was hit, overturning the ambulance.

-The 85-year old driver of the pickup from Bridger was also injured.