Wildfires

Officials with the Montana Highway Department and the Bitterroot National Forest have temporarily closed Skalkaho Pass on Highway 38 for public and firefighter safety because of thick smoke in the area and burning debris on the highway. Spokesman Todd McKay's comment is attached.

Officials say relief is in the forecast Wednesday for crews battling wildfires in Montana and Idaho. More than 42,000 lightning strikes were recorded in a 36-hour period between Sunday and Tuesday across the Northern Rockies, sparking new wildfires in a region already inundated with blazes.

Last Thursday night’s lightning storms sparked at least three new wildfires in the Bitterroot National Forest. Public Information officer Todd McKay has details of the fires and their locations. My interview with McKay is attached.

The National Weather Service reported over 2000 lightning strikes in western Montana Wednesday and Wednesday night, and with lightning, comes the risk of wildfire. I spoke with Public Information Officer for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Paula Short on Thursday afternoon about the possibility of fires from all that lightning. That interview is attached.