Montana News Roundup: Fire Danger intensifying for Montana’s Summer

Despite some relief from the rain and snow along the Northern Continental Divide in mid-June, the latest fire season forecast is for a quick acceleration of "significant" fire danger for the Northern Rockies for the rest of the month.

The July update from Predictive Services for the National Interagency Fire Center shows a lack of June precipitation supports a "strong escalation" in the potential for significant fires across Northern Idaho and Western Montana. Fire risk is also climbing in Central and Northeastern Montana, even after better rainfall last month. Forecasters say the outlook for hot, dry weather in July and August will see that risk of fire spread east. Eastern Montana's drought improved somewhat, but Western Montana's drought has expanded and intensified, with the risk also climbing because of the strong growth of grass and brush.

     ‼️ By August, the significant fire potential will cover the entire state and is now expected to persist into September.

Bystanders save Glacier hikers

Glacier National Park authorities are crediting bystanders with helping to save the lives of two people who were swept into the gorge on Avalanche Creek over the weekend.

The park is finally releasing full details of the mishap, which happened Sunday night. Rangers a group of four visitors from Florida were trying to get pictures along the scenic gorge when one person slipped in. The second and third hikers tried to help, but also fell in, with two being swept downstream in the fast flowing, frigid water.

Bystanders helped get the pair to safety and managed to recessitate them with CPR before rangers arrived. One ranger was able to rappel down and get the third hiker from the gorge where others have drowned in recent years.

     All of the hikers were reported in stable condition.

Missoula death investigation underway

Missoula Police are checking into the suspicious death of a man who was found inside a residence in the 5-hundred block of South 5th yesterday. The victim has been identified as a 45-year-old man. No arrests have been made.

The shoe rule is still in effect in Montana

If you're excited about Monday's news that you won't have to remove your shoes for the TSA at the airport any longer, you'll probably need to be patient for a while longer at Montana airports.

The shoe removal policy has been in place since the infamous "shoe bomber" incident 20 years ago, but TSA says new technology at the checkpoints makes that unnecessary now.

     However, Montana still isn't on the list of states where the requirement has been lifted just yet, although Oregon and California, and other larger states back east are.

So best to keep allowing a few extra minutes at Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, and the other major airports while the change is phased in.

Montana air travel sees growth, few problems

We've heard a lot about the expectations of a downturn in air travel, especially with international travelers. But Montana airports say they're not seeing real evidence of that at the year's mid-point.

Bozeman was bracing for a record number of travelers over the 4th. In Missoula, Airport Director Brian Ellestad says ticket sales have been off some, but the number of passengers is up, and he's no slump with out-of-country travel.

"You know we're still watching that. It's just hard to tell to be honest with you," Ellestad tells me. "Domestically you fly around the country right now and every flights full, ours included. We keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but people are still flying."

     Through May, the state was reporting a nearly 12% increase in year-to-date traffic at all Montana airports.

This brand has been going strong since the 1860s

If the kids are complaining there's nothing to do, head to Deer Lodge today. The cowboys at the Grant-Kohrs Ranching will taking part in "branding day", starting around 10 this morning. It's a great demonstration for the whole family, and gives a glimpse into the start of Montana's cattle industry way back in the 1860s.