The National Weather Service recorded at least 1,700 lighting strikes across the Northern Rockies last night and early this morning. Over 200 of them hit a hot and parched western Montana where fire danger is increasing.
The powerful thunderstorms trundled from Oregon into Idaho last night, eventually making their way into western Montana early this morning. Those awake early enough to see them were treated to an impressive show.
"We did have a number of stations report anywhere from a quarter inch to a half an inch of rainfall," says Alex Lukinbeal, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Missoula.
Some Montana fire crews Wednesday chased several new reports of potential wildfire activity. All were at one half-acre or less.
Lolo National Forest crews responded to three new, small lightning fires west of St. Regis, and one human-caused wildfire near Haugan.
The Bitterroot National Forest picked up at least five reported lightning-sparked fires.
The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Southwestern Land office in Missoula reports one new fire start. The Westgate fire near Seeley Lake was less than one-tenth of an acre Wednesday afternoon.
DNRC spokeswoman Kristin Mortenson says human caused wildfires easily outnumber those created by Mother Nature. Mortenson says 60 percent of fires this season in that west-central Montana region have been started by people.
In the Lemhi Pass area, the lightning-caused Bear Creek Fire is reported as 7,500 acres in size and 10 percent contained. Officials say fire activity was quiet Tuesday. Today, crews and air resources continue to construct and improve indirect lines and conduct burn out operations. Fire managers are expecting thunderstorms with the possibility of 30-mph winds Wednesday. Closures remain in effect.
The National Weather Service in Great Falls warns that smoke from California will soon make it's way to western and central Montana.
Smoke and haze will be increasing across Montana, especially later tonight through Thursday, as steering winds aloft bring smoke from ongoing fires in California northeast into the region. #MTwx pic.twitter.com/psOxNaU4As— NWS Great Falls (@NWSGreatFalls) August 19, 2020
In Wyoming, Fire crews made progress Aug. 19 on the 40 square mile Waddle Creek Fire burning on mixed private, state and Bureau of Land Management land east of Sheridan.
Sheridan County Fire Chief Chris Thomas said the fire is 75 percent contained as of midday Wednesday thanks to “good work by good people.”
The fire began Monday afternoon on the 77 Ranch and grew by more than 19,000 acres in the first 24 hours. Fifty-seven fire personnel along with 14 engines, two helicopters and a fixed wing air attack plane from federal, state and county agencies in Wyoming and Montana have been working the fire.
Thomas said crews are hoping to keep the fire contained despite anticipated dry thunderstorms and gusty winds expected in the region this afternoon and tonight.
The fire has burned two structures associated with a shut-in oil and gas field in the area. It’s also threatening primary residences, structures, power lines and oil and gas infrastructure.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Resources battling the Waddle Creek Fire are being diverted to the 10 acre Freeze Out Fire in the Tongue Ranger District of the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming.
The lightning caused fire was first detected around midmorning Wednesday and has the potential to spread into lodgepole pine and spruce mixed forest.
A ten person initial attack module from New Jersey, Blacktooth Fire Module, two Type 2 hand crews, engines, helicopters and single engine air tankers are working to keep the fire at 10 acres.
Area Forest Service road closures are in effect.
The Bighorn National Forest officials report there are several unoccupied campers in the area that may be impacted.
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