With persistent heat and little moisture, Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday asked the federal government to declare a drought disaster for 11 parched Montana counties, including Missoula and Ravalli.
While the bulk of the region's fire resources are working the Colt fire northwest of Seeley Lake, several new fires were reported Tuesday morning north of Missoula.
Scientists are saying Montana's climate is becoming warmer and drier, and are advising farmers to find ways to store water and grow more drought-resistant crops.
19 year-old Trenton Johnson of Missoula was identified on Thursday as the victim of a wildfire fighting accident that occurred on Tuesday on a fire near Seeley Lake.
While conditions in Northwest Montana are abnormally dry, portions of eastern Montana are facing drought conditions they haven’t seen in over 50 years.
Missoula County Disaster and Emergency Services Director Adriane Beck chaired a public meeting this week to discuss what a team of officials had been planning for in the past four months.