Anyone that lives in the western U.S. is likely living near land managed by the federal government. Many Western Montana counties, for example, have more than 50 percent of their land under federal control, a situation that poses problems for local use and tax revenue.
Update 1 p.m. 9/17- Though the Miller Creek fire is still burning, wet weather and cold temperatures today have helped firefighters make quick work of the blaze.
In 2012, Montanans faced an extremely long fire season that plunged deep into October and, though that could still happen in 2013, signs are pointing to a significantly less expensive fire season for the state.
A Missoula area transient is in custody Wednesday morning, September 11, after allegedly starting a fire near the Kim Williams Trail at the base of Mount Sentinel.
Montana is famous for having a tough fire season, but although helicopters and line crews are a regular sight around wildfires like the Lolo Creek Complex, things are done differently at Yellowstone National park.
While the Lolo Creek Complex fire has garnered the most attention over the past week, the Rock Creek fire near Red Lodge is Montana's second highest priority.