Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Because trees can capture and store carbon, forests play a big role in tackling climate change. Recently, however, a study found that insects and diseases are threatening forests' carbon storage potential.

Cooler temperatures in the 50s to low 60s and higher humidity are helping firefighters contain the South Moccasin Fire burning northwest of Lewistown in Fergus County. In southeast Montana, the Coal Bank Fire burning 18 miles southwest of Ashland in Rosebud County, continues to grow. It’s now estimated at 6,100 acres and is 45% contained.

Montana officials say the current drought may continue if we don’t see wetter, cooler months soon.

Wildfire evacuations and restrictions are rolling back across Montana amid widespread precipitation and cooler temperatures. But Montana’s 2021fire season is by no means over.

Montana is experiencing severe drought this year that’s fueling wildfires, killing crops and leaving rivers running low and warm. Freddy Monares talks with MTPR's Shaylee Ragar about the impacts of the extreme conditions, and what the state can do about it now and in the future.

When a wildfire ignites in rural Montana, it’s likely a volunteer firefighter who responds. But those volunteers are aging.

Heading into what has turned out to be a severe fire season, the state of Montana set a goal to more than double the amount of forest acres it logs, controlled burns and treats to reduce the risk of wildfire on communities. This year’s target represents a sliver of the acreage managers say is critical to address.

Updated 6:13 p.m., July 11, 2021The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service has asked the residents of Belt Park west of Highway 89 to begin evacuation immediately. The Balsinger Fire, which is seven miles west of Neihart, has experienced a dramatic increase in activity due to weather and wind conditions.

High winds buffeted the region Thursday but the Willow Creek Fire in Jefferson County did not grow in size.

Residents in fewer than a dozen rural homes in Jefferson County have been warned they may need to evacuate if the Willow Creek Fire makes a run.