The avalanche that rumbled down Mount Jumbo late Friday afternoon was set up by bands of heavy snow, followed by warm temperatures, more snow, and strong winds.
A trio of 4-month-old sheep guard-dogs-in-training working on a mountain side near Missoula found the allure of city life visible below too hard to resist and bolted for a residential neighborhood where they ended up being impounded by the city dogcatcher.
The Mount Jumbo North Zone closes during the winter months to protect the elk habitat in the area. Director of Missoula Parks and Recreation , Donna Gaukler says the elk were pretty constant all winter in that area.
The city of Missoula received a grant of $125,000 from the Department of Natural Resources to moderate the mountain pine beetle and prevent outbreaks. Missoula Parks and Recreation contractors will begin a summer long forest thinning project on Mount Jumbo as soon as weather permits.