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Montana’s Wetter, Cooler Summer Helps Keep Fire Activity Moderate

U.S. Drought Monitor Map of Montana, August 13, 2019.
U.S. Drought Monitor
U.S. Drought Monitor Map of Montana, August 13, 2019.

The governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee almost cancelled its monthly meeting Thursday because there isn’t really a drought issue in Montana right now. Committee members say moisture conditions look good for most of the state and fire activity is expected to remain moderate.

Some counties in northwest Montana are slightly-to-moderately dry but most of the state is a little wetter and cooler than average.

In the August to October outlook, the eastern part of the state is expected to have moisture levels slightly higher than average while areas west of the divide will be drier.

John Monzie of the Department of Natural Resource and Conservation’s Fire and Aviation Bureau says all of the rain and cooler temperatures this summer have led to a moderate fire season. Right now there are only two uncontained fires in the Northern Rockies region.

“For August at this time, middle of August, that’s unusual, and so far, if you look at all the fires in the state of Montana, we’ve had 865 fires to date, but we’ve only burned 18,360 acres,” says Monzie.

He says the amount of lightning this year has been higher than normal and will probably continue until the end of August before tapering off in September. Even with the above average precipitation, Monzie says fuel loads are starting to dry out, which makes them easier to ignite.

“What we’re anticipating is continued fire activity through August and September, but it’s probably going to be an average year unless we lock into a severely hot regime with a lot of wind,” says Monzie.

The committee will meet as planned again next month unless conditions remain the same.